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cntennial 



elebration 



OF THE 




Official Organization 



Town of Romulus, N. Y. 



June 13, 1894. 



1894. 
Printed Under Direction of the 
Centennial Executive Committee. 



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Official Oro'aiilzatloi 



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ROMUUIS, SENECA COUNTY, W YOKL 



June 13, 1894. 



,894; 

Printed Under Direction of the Centennial Executive Committee. 



With Compliments of 



DiEDRICH WiLLERS. 






GENEVA, N. Y., 
COURIER JOB DEPARTMENT. 

1894. 



S 



1/ 



CENTENNIAL OBSERVANCE 



Tlie Official Orgiidizaiioii of Roiiuiliii^ 



"As turns the traveler back 
" At close of evening to survey 
"The windings of the weary track, 
"Tlirough which the day's long journey lay, 
" And sees by that departing light 
"Which tied so fast on field and meadow, 
" How distant objects still are bright, 
"When nearer things are sunk in shadow; 
" E'en so the mind's inquiring eye 
"Looks backward through the mist of years, 
"When in its vast variety, 
"The checkered map of life appears." 

Retrospection — a looking back and review of the past — fur- 
nishes a profitable and pleasing study to the historian, often re- 
calling and reviving half-forgotten or dormant memories of b}'- 
gone events. 

The Psalmist, long ago declared : " I have considered the days 
of old, the years of ancient times. ' ' 

In the year 1879, the centennial of General John vSullivan's 
campaign against the Indians of Western New York and the mem- 
orable march of his army across Seneca County, was celebrated at 
Waterloo. At that time. Town Historians were appointed in the 
several towns of the county, to co-operate with the Waterloo Li- 
brary and Historical society, in efforts to collect and preser\e his- 
torical data. Considerable material was thus collected in the towns 



CENTENNIAI. OP" ROMULUS. 



of Romulus and Varick, and upon comparison of views, the Town 
Historians of these towns deeming it desirable to fittingly observe 
the official centennial of the town of Romulus, (since the centen- 
nial of the organization of Onondaga County was also about to be 
observed) issued the following notice: 

A meeting of citizens of Romulus and Varick will be held at the village 
of Romulus, on Monday, March 5, at 2 o'clock p. m., to consider the advisa- 
bility of a public commemoration of the centennial of the organization of 
the old town of Romulus, to be held July 4th, or such other time as may be 
deemed advisable. It is expected that local speakers will be present to 
explain the proposed commemoration and to furnish desired information. 
The public are respectfully invited to attend on the day mentioned, it being 
the looth anniversary of the formation of the town, March 5, 1794. 

E. Seely Bartlett, 

DiEDRICH WiLLERS. 

There was a large attendance of representative men of Romu- 
lus and Varick, at the meeting held in pursuance of the above 
notice, at Hinkle3''s Hall, in the village of Romulus, in the after- 
noon of March 5. The newspapers of the county gave the follow- 
ing report of the meeting: 

The meeting was called to order by E. Seely Bartlett, Esq., who stated 
the object of the meeting and was then called to the chair. Andrew S. 
Long was chosen secretary. Hon. Diedrich Willers then spoke more fully 
of the object of the meeting, prefacing it by a concise review of the events 
leading up to the organization of the town. E. B. Miller, Henry C. Lisk, 
Dr. D. F. Everts, Julius F. Hunt, Rev. J. W. Jacks, William A. Beaver, 
Rev. J. H. Cook and others, addressed the meeting, all favoring a local cel- 
ebration some time m the early summer. The following committees were 
appointed, to report April 3, which date is the aimiversary of the first town 
meeting held in the town: 

Committee to suggest program and jilaii — Rev. J. Wilford Jacks, Hon. 
Diedrich Willers, Julius F. Hunt, C. C. Pontius, Schuyler B. Yerkes. 

Committee on finance: — Messrs. William A. Beaver, William D. Gid- 
dings, Amos P. Miller, Jesse Yerkes and Joshua Hinkley. 

Chairman E. Seely Bartlett and Secretary Andrew S. Long were made 
members e\v officio of both these committees. The meeting then adjourned 
to convene at the same place on Tuesday, April 3, at 2 p. ,m. 

The Committees thus appointed, met from time to time and 
considered the matters respectively referred to them. 

The adjourned citizens' meeting met at Hinkley's Hall, Rom- 
ulus, on the afternoon of April 3d, 1894. The Committee on 
finance reported favorable progress, and was continued. The 



CENTENNIAL Ol' KOMUI.US. 



5 



Coniniittee on program and plans sulimitted a report recommend- 
ing the holding- of a Centennial Celebiation, in a grove near Rom- 
nlns village, on the i ^tli day of Jnne, 1894, npon the plan of a 
Basket Picnic. 

The Committee further recommended, that the exercisesof the 
day consist of an Oration, Historical address and Poem, and short 
addresses in response to sentiments or reminiscences by old citi- 
zens and former residents, to be interspersed with appropriate 
music, and as special features, recommended that the children of 
the public schools of Romulus and Varick, Seneca County Pomo- 
na Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, Representatives of the Church- 
es of the two towns, and veteran soldiers residing therein, be invited 
to participate. 

The several recommendations of the committee, were con- 
sidered by the meeting and adopted. 

The same committee also recommended for the consideration 
of the meeting, a list of officers and committees, which were 
adopted, to- wit : 

P'resident, 
E. SEELY BARTLETT. 



Vice Pres 

Hon. DiEDKicii Willers, 
Hon. JA.MES M. Martin, 
Hon. Peter J. Van Vleet. 
Hon. William H. Kinne, 
William D. Giddings, 
George W. Jacacks, 
John M. Yekkes, 
Rynear C. Allen, 
Edward Van Vleet, 
Cyrus E. Kinne, 
Don p. Blaine, 
Charles. W. Rising, 
Darwin C. Kinne, 
JosiAH Yerkes, 
Charles H. Savre, 
John G. Sutton, 
Daniel D. Johnson, 
Henry S. Miller, 
George F. Folwell, 
William A. Beaver, 
George Smith, 
Myron W. Swarthout, 
C. C. Pontius, 
Edward B. Miller, 
Jerome Sweezy, 



idents, 

George S. Conover, 
John Monroe, 
Henry F. Troutman, 
Ralph P. Roberts. 
David H. Manee, 
John \'. Crane, 
"Henry C. Lisk, 
Daniel C. Burroughs, 
Olin E. Em ens, 
John McKnight, 
Arthur H. Brooks, 
Ogden Wheeler, 
George H. Williams, 
Daniel Kuney, 
J. Warren Hendricks. 
John Y. Gamble, 
James M. Sample, 
"David Lautenschlager, 
Henry Dey, 
Theodore H. Doughty, 
Simon Ritter, 
Amos P. Miller, 
Isaiah W. Smith, 
Harvey Baldridge, 
William Bainbridge. 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMUEU.S. 



Secretaries, 

ANDREW S. LONG, RICHARD M. STEELE. 

Treasurer, 

JESSE YEKKES. 

Chaplain, 

REV. J. WILKORi:) JACl-CS. 

Nlarslial, 

ARTHUR H. BROOKS, SCHUYLER B. YERKES, Asst. 

Committees: 

EiNANCE — Messrs. William A. Beaver, Joshua Hinckley, Jesse Yerkes, 
Amos P. Miller, Wm. D. Giddings, 

On Invitations and Order of Exercises — Hon. Diedrich Willers^ 
E. Seely Barllett, ami J. Wilford Jacks. 

On Historian, Orator, and Poet— Hon. Wm. H. Kinne, A. J. Bart- 
lett, Dr. Richard Dey. 

On Grounds, Platform, and Seats — John W. Snook, John W. Bow, 
Buel Wilbur, James Flynn, David R. Ambrose, Joseph N. Wyckoff, John 
H. Coryell, John P. l^pdike, Thomas Mann, Edward S. Flemmg, Andrew 
McGrane. 

Reception and Entertainment— Dr. D. F. Everts, John Lisk, Hen- 
ry M. Burton, Richard M. Steele, Warren S. Sharp, Roy S. Giddings, Hal- 
sey P. Hallock. 

Music — Julius E. Hunt, Pierson Jacobus. W. Leonard Lisk, Seward 
Doughty, Julian Russell, Bergen Van Nostrand, Chester B. Denniston, 

On Printing— Rev. J. Wilford Jacks, E. Seely Bartlett, Schuyler B. 
Yerkes. 

Decorations and Flowers -Mr. and Mrs. Clinton A. Warne, Mr. 
and Mrs. David Monroe, Mr. and Mrs, J. S. Giddings, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson 
G. Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. Frank S. Adau', Mr. and Mrs. Charles V.Crane, Mr. 
and Mrs. Alton McLafferty, Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery Doughty, Mr. and 
Mrs. G. Elmer Robinson, Misses Ella Hinckley, Minnie Sayre, Belle Vake- 
ly, Margaret D Mahoney, Messrs. Morgan W. LaBiyteaux, and John 
Monroe, Jr. 

By vote of the meeting, the following permanent Executive 
Committee was appointed: 

Executive Committee — Rev. J. W. Jacks, Diedrich Willers. E. Seely 
Bartlett, Andrew S. Long, Julius F. Hunt, C. C. Pontius, Schuyler B. Yerkes. 

The meeting then adjourned to June 13th 1894, at 10 A. ::\i. 



CENTENNIAL ()E KOMULUvS. 



WEDNESDAY, JUNE i,^tli, 1894, 



"O! I loinr of my l)irllil will it e'er Ik- my lot, 
To tiiid ill this world, so endearing a spot? 
How true is the saying -that "search tlu- whole earth 
No spot's so endeared, as the home of one's birth." 

The clay was ushered in with bright skies and a clear and 
bracing atmosphere. 

A number of residences and places of business had been hand- 
somely decorated and the village presented a gala day appearance. 
At an early hour, people began to arrive by team or railroad, the 
number in attendance being variously estimated at from three to 
five thousand. 

The procession was formed by Marshal Arthur H. Brooks 
and his assistants, in front of the Presbyterian Church, at ten 
o'clock A. M. and marched to the grove of John W. Snook, on the 
farm owned by Dr. Kthan Watson in his life time, fully a mile 
distant, in the following order: 

1. Romulus and Kendaia Consolidated Cornet Bands. 

2. Public Schools of Romvilus and \'arick with appropriate banners, 
to wit: 

Jvomulus: School District No. I. Nora Vreeland, teacher, 20 scholars. 

Dist. No. 2. \Vm. B. Hancey, teacher, 30 scholars. 

Dist. No. 3. Margaret D. Mahoney, teacher, 30 scholars. 

IV ^ XT r < Elizabeth Shaughnessy, ^r, ^rh, >]■■>,■< 
1 )ist No ^ - T% 1, T r- ^ I ^oscnoiais. 

i^i&L. i>u. 3. ^ ^gjjg L Sayre, teachers, •' 

Dist. No. 7. Julia McDonald, teacher, 25 scholars. 
Dist. No. 8. Charlotte Duntz, teacher, 22 scholars. 
Dist. No. g. Martha Tobias, teacher, 26 scholars. 
\'arick: Dist. No. i. Mary E. George, teacher, 10 scholars. 
Dist. No. 3. Edward Hogan, teacher, 22 scholars. 
Dist. No. 10. Hattie \'an Nostrand, teacher, 15 scholars. 
Dist. No. II. Ella McGinnis, teacher, 22 scholars. 
Dist. No. 14. Varick and Fayette, Frances Church, teacher, 15 scholars. 

3. Ancient carriage once owned by President \'an Buren, in which 
General La Fayette was conveyed on his tour through Seneca County in 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



June 1825, used on this occasion by Mr. and Mrs. Clarence A. Soule of 
Waterloo and the family of John Lisk, Esq. 

4. Wagon, under auspices of Pomona Grange, with representation of 
" Farmers of 1794," in ancient dress to wit; Ex Supervisor John V. Crane, 
William Bainbridge, Miss Ruth I5artlett, Miss Mattie Roan, Mrs. Tunis 
Bainbridge, Mrs. Emily Van .Court. 

5. Carriage containing officers and representatives from Seneca County 
Pomona Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, with appropriate banners. 

6. Patrons of Husbandry, in carriages. 

7. Clergy and invited guests, in carriages. 

8. Officers of the day and committees, in carriages, 
g. Citizens, in carriages. 

The procession was fully a mile in length, and reached the 
Grove about eleven o'clock a. :\i. 



EXERCISES AT THE GROVE. 

Upon arrival at the Grove the President of the day, 1\. Seely 
Bartlett Esq., promptly called the Meeting to order. After appro- 
priate music by the band, the exercises were opened with prayer 
by the Rev. J. Wilford Jacks. 

The President then delivered the following address of welcome: 
Fclloic Citizens, Ladies and Gentlemen: 

Man is the only creature that leaves behind him a writteti 
record of his achievements. " Man marks the earth with ruin," 
but by the application of his God-given power, he rehabilitates 
the portion of Nature's handiwork that he has desecrated, by the 
building of lofty structures in architectural magnificence, or by 
scattering over the waste places seeds of plants, which shall spring 
into life, and by their harmonious blending make of the landscape 
a sea of beauty, value and fragrance. 

Man delights in the change of habitation. He loves to battle 
with primitive Nature, and by his ph}'sical force and intellectual 
strength, make of the wilderness a fit dwelling place for the high- 
est type of creative power. He loves to contend with and for 
others of his kind, and to honor those who in the exercise of their 
endowments have proved themselves to be leaders of men, either 



CKNTENNIAI, Ol'^ K():\H'I<US. 



in the peaceful walks of life, in the chair of the scholar or states- 
man, or in the dread ordeal of war. 

The acquirements of the scholar creates in him a desire to at- 
tain knowledge; the accumulation of riches and a realization of the 
benetils derived, in physical comfort and the respect of his fellow 
man, stimulate in him the exercise of industry and economy ; the 
honor bestowed upon those who consecrate their lives for the 
moral and spiritual benefit of mankind, incites him to the perfor- 
mance of acts of benevolence and philanthrophy ; the deeds of 
valor and heroism displayed in the defense of the rights and liber- 
ties of the citizen, invoke the highest and truest spirit of humanity 
to spring into activity, and impel the sacrifice of life, if need be, 
in defense of the principle held sacred by the people. 

B}- the employment of these varied attributes of the human 
mind, new countries are discovered, and important events occur 
which affect the welfare of man; men of great acquirements in the 
fields of literature, science, arts and government, come forth in the 
plentitude of their powers, and dazzle the w'orld by their compre- 
hension of Nature's laws, or by the assumption of dictatorial au- 
thorit}-; and aggregations of people by revolution, throw^ off re- 
straining force, and assume among the powers of the earth an in- 
dividuality and a name. 

Such events, and the taking possession of an inheritance or 
acquisition, mark an epoch in the world's history. The comniem- 
ration of these events, and a review of the history of the subse- 
quent era, is of inestimable value to the people. 

The town of Romulus was formed and given a name, when 
the wolf and other beasts of the forest contended for the right of 
occupation with the savage red nian. The roar of the cannons of 
the Revolution, had just ceased to echo along the Atlantic slope, 
when the patriot yeoman commenced to subjugate these fields. 
Cotemporaneous with the inauguration of Washington as the first 
President of the United States, actual settlers took possession of 
this town. The unity of a nation composed of thirteen sovereign 
and independent states had just been completed. The star of 
Empire as it wended its way westward glittered from the glorious 
fields of the Star Spangled Banner. A union had been formed 
whose power was to be tested in conflict with other Nations, and 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



more firmly cemented in the fier}^ furnace of party intrigue and in- 
ternecine war. A Union constituting a Nation destined to ex- 
ceed all of its contemporaries in the freedom granted its citizens, 
in the refuge it offered to the oppressed and unfortunate, in the 
growth of its material wealth, and in the culture of its inhabitants, 

The territory included in the original town of Romulus has 
been divided into many parts, forming centers of government, and 
while we acknowledge a paternal feeling for the icions removed in 
her youth, yet we would fain confine our commemoration, more 
especially, to the history of her >-oungest offshoot, and herself. 

Those noble pioneers, hardened by the privations endured 
during their long struggle for independence, and imbued with the 
spirit of farther conquest— the conquest of carving out a home 
amid the grandeur of Nature's most glorious handiwork — came to 
this beautiful tract embowered between the two most regal inland 
seas, and from its forest crowned hills and thickly wooded valleys, 
laid the foundation upon which has been builded a column of our 
structure of national government, around which have rested for a 
Century, in the security of the conscious power, occupying beau- 
tiful homes and cultivated fields, surrounded by improved flocks 
and herds, the hardy, industrious, moral, cultivated and christian 
yoemanry, the sure bulwark of a free and independent govern- 
ment. 

We meet to-day to commemorate the inauguration of the Civil 
government of the town of Romulus, one hundred years ago, and 
to review the history, in a measure, of the Century that is past. 
The story of the achievements of mankind during the last hundred 
years, reads like a romance. What Century since time was, pres- 
ents such a narrative ? A continent has been cleared of its prime- 
val forests, and cultivated fields, villages and cities of huge 
proportions and magnificence have dotted our domain ; the lum- 
bering stage-coach has cea.sed its laborious journey, and the 
passenger is Hterally hurled through space, enjoying in his palatial 
car, the comforts of home; the relay post-riders have given their 
trusts to the telegraph and telephone ; the carrying of communi- 
cations between nations has been transferred from the sailing 
vessel to the submarine telegraph; the facilities for universal edu- 
cation have been nearly perfected; religious communication and 



CKNTKNNIAL OF ROMULUS. 11 



influence have been extended to nearly all parts of the world; 
agriculture has made rapid strides towards a perfect system ; the 
bowels of the earth have been analyzed and utilized; and the 
farthest bounds of the universe have been explored. 

This is essentially an agricultural region. The placid Cayuga, 
reflecting the golden rays of the rising sun, as they illumine the east- 
ern slope, conveys a morning benison to the awakening agricultural 
toiler. The declining rays of the setting sun, as they Hngtrr 
above the horizon and play on fair Seneca's shimmering surface, 
present to the weary husbandman a picture — Nature's evening 
benediction — which the pencil of an Angelo could not rival. 

While we would rejoice in having a home in so favored a 
spot; that our material prosperity has been so great; that our 
people are so law-abiding; that our religious, educational, and 
social privileges are so exalted; we claim that our greatest glory 
rests upon the sterling worth of our citizens, as they have taken 
their places among the world's workers. The roll of honor would 
comprise the names of residents in at least twenty-four states and 
territories, engaged in the duties of physicians, lawyers, merch- 
ants, manufacturers, ministers of the gospel, teachers, legislators, 
editors, professors in colleges, agriculturists, and scientists. The 
banner of the cross has been carried to heathen countries, and the 
traveler has trodden the paths of Palestine; roamed among the 
ruins of Kerculaneum, and walked the streets of the "Eternal 
City." We remember that "peace hath her victories no less re- 
nowned than war," and that our citizens, while performing their 
whole duty, when their country called, have made their brightest 
and most enduring record amid those pursuits which have made 
the world better and brighter for their effort. 

As we take this retrospective view of our history, we feel 
that we can fitl}- claim, that the record we have made, should be 
commemorated by exercises befitting the occasion. 

To-day, the native and adopted citizen meet and offer the 
hand of brotherly affection and extend greeting, to those who 
maj' have returned to the home of their youth; to those from the 
neighboring towns who ha\'e honored us with their presence, a;id 
a welcome to all, who may desire to partake of the joyousness of 



12 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 

the day. It is need that upon such an occasion, various indus- 
tries should be represented in a body. We extend greeting to the 
representatives of the medical profession, who come in such close 
relations with all, by reason of our physical infirmities ; to the 
press, those moulders of public opinion and disseminators of the 
daily records of the world ; of the Grand Army who count no 
sacrifice too great if the inviolability of the laws of our country 
and the honor of the Flag of our Union be maintained ; of the 
church organizations, who have labored hand in hand with every 
good word and work, that should tend to ameliorate the conditions 
of mankind or to conserve their moral and spiritual welfare. 

We greet the representatives of the Patrons of Husbandry. 
The farmers are the corner-stone of our commercial prosperity and 
of our national wealth, and their homes are the nurseries of those 
great minds who rule the destinies of the world Pardon me, if I 
greet with a warmer welcome, the teachers, children and mothers, 
who have so kindly interested theniselves in making this day's 
doings worthy to be chiseled in words of living remembrance, 
upon the tablets of our minds. If these assertions are true: ' ' Let 
me make the schools and I care not who make the laws ;" — "All 
that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother;" — Do not 
the teachers and mothers mould our destinies? 

Grand, imposing and inspiring, as are the results attained by 
mankind during this wonderfully eventful nineteenth centur}-, it 
is but an earnest of what may be expected of the twentieth. Al- 
though this century is basking in its evening twilight and the 
next is standing ready, girded for the conflict, many of those now 
participating in this joyous review, shall have finishedtheircour.se 
and a majority of the children here present, shall have assumed at 
the beginning of the new century, the responsibilities of citizen- 
ship. Their proper preparation for the assumption of the respon- 
sibilities of their inheritance, re.sts with the teachers and mothers 
of our town. May the result of their stewardship be such, that 
at the next centennial, it may truly be .said of the citizens of Rom- 
ulus : 

"That they, disdaining pleasure, ease, delight. 

Did 1:)leed with heroes in disastrous fight ; 
And this truth did gallantly display. 

True glory's path, is I^iberty's highway." 



CENTKNNIAI. OF KOMUI.US. 13 



Charles R. King, Esq., of Rochester, N. Y., thereupon deliv- 
ered the following Response to the President's welcome : 

Mr. President aiid J-'rieuds : 

For this generous greeting, which you have extended to us, 
invited gnests, wanderers from the old home ; for these warm 
words of welcome at our return, accept our thanks It was not 
necessar}- that ycnir welcome should be expressed in words, the 
unspoken expression of it, surrounds us on every side. We feel it 
in the genuine gra.sp of the hand, we see it in this sea of upturned 
faces, we breathe it in the very atmosphere. It is written on 
every leaf of every tree, in this time-honored grove — sacred to the 
recollections of our boyhood days, and the nodding branches bid 
us welcome. 

And so being welcomed, we rejoice that once again we stand 
upon the sacred soil of this good old town of Romulus, which 
to-day marks its hundred years of existence on the dial of time. 
And what an hundred years they have been, in the development 
of our material and natural resources, in the .subjugation of the 
forest and the soil, in the achievements of science, and the me- 
chanic arts, — their history is indeed the history of a miraculous age, 
exceeding the wildest dreams of the imagination ! But I must not 
trespass upon the prerogative of others, who are to speak to 
you to-da}' upon this .subject, as it bears upon the history of this 
town or pertains to this occasion. 1 doubt not, that before we 
leave this .shaded grove, we shall all be puffed up with vain 
pride of birth, at having been born in this old classic town of 
Romulus, named for the Mythical Founder of ancient Rome. 
Romulus is indeed a good town to be born in, we know no better 
one, we will all admit that, for we want no experiments along 
that line, and just for to-day we will all agree, that it is a good 
town to live in. 

We former residents, who now live elsewhere, love to return, 
at least every hundred years, to this town of our birth, to thi.s 
land "deep of soil and nurse of heroes." We love to visit the 
scenes on which our eyes first rested, and test again the soil on 
which our feet first trod. We love to return to our boyhood 
haunts, to renew old associations, to revive old memories, to live 



14 CENTENNIAL OP ROMUIvUS. 

again the daj-s of long ago. We would like to look into the old 
brick church, to see if there were left any remnants of those long, 
old fashioned sermons, longer than the moral law. We want to 
see the old procession file into the old pews for divine worship ; to 
hear the old organ again ; to listen to the old choir, the delight of 
our youthful days ; to shake hands with the old sexton, with 
whom time has dealt so gentl}'. We would like to skip again 
along the roof of the old church shed, or run a race around the 
Village Square, as in days of yore. We would like of an evening 
to sit around the stove in the old stone store, and listen again to 
learned discussions on affairs of State We want to behold again, 
with youthful eyes, the military equipments of General Ayres, as 
he gallantly charged along the unterrified lines of the militia on 
General Training Day, and eat a chunk of ginger bread. We 
would like to take a quiet pipe with Stephen Monroe, and eat 
some of Uncle Ben Doty's apples, and perhaps talk up the legal 
points afterwards with Esquire Wyckoff. We would like to have 
.seated on this platform, or in this vast audience, to join with us 
to-day in this centennial celebration, the Fathers and Mothers, 
the Grand-fathers and Grand-mothers, of us all, that we might 
behold their kindly foces again, and see them as they were when 
we were young. 

But alas we cannot. Inexorable time, which permits us to 
celebrate this day, has claimed them for its own. They sleep in 
yonder cemetery or elsewhere, all of blessed memory. What they 
did here, what they endured of hardship; what they achieved of 
success, what they wrought for this town, in their day and gene- 
ration, for theuLselves and for us, has passed mto hi.story, and will 
be told to you to-day, by others in song and story. 

And now Mr. President, again thanking you for your kindly 
welcome, and congratulating you all on the evident success of 
this, your first effort in this direction, so happily conceived and 
inaugurated, may I not venture the wish, that we may all be 
present again at your second centennial celebration, in the spirit 
if not in the flesh. 

Music by the Band followed, when the President introduced 
Col. James P. Sanford of Wheaton, Illinois, a native of Romulus, 
who delivered the oration of the day. 



CENTKNNIAI. OF K(X-\irU"S. 15 



Col. Sanford's address was extemporaneous arid delivered 

wholly without notes. 

The Executive Committee sincerely regrets, that upon appli- 
cation to him, for a copy of his address, he expressed inability to 
furnish the same, and no stenographer having been in attendance: 
the same cannot therefore be published herewith. Those persons 
who had the pleasure of listening to Colonel Sanford, will long 
remember his pleasing and interesting address, delivered in his 
happy and inimitable style of oratory. 

Singing followed, b}^ the Farmer Village Male Quartette, 
consisting of J. M. Blauvelt, C. A. vSmith, Thomas P. Hause, and 
Louis M. Rappleye. 

Hon. Albert L. Childs, of Waterloo, then appeared and recited 
the following original poem : 

The century chimes that mark the hundred >-ears. 
Are wafting nuisic sweet to willing ears ; 
Their anthem brings a message to the free. 
And nature sings: "My Country 'tis of thee !" 
Historic scenes, of years long passed away. 
Illumined are, by this centennial day ! 
And now time halts, to grant us a review. 
Of Auld Lang Syne, and Romulus the new! 
And Romulus the old, in beauty grand ! 
Between the lakes, our modern Beulah land ! 
Where meadows green, and fields of golden grain, 
Mark well the progress of tliis rich domain ! 

What care the happy people of to-day. 

About Mythology, grown old and grey ! 

Like mummies buried in the ages gone, 

That turn to ashes at the early dawn ! 

Old Romulus, the primal sovereign king, 

Of ancient Rome, that history doth bring; 

Full forty times the century chimes have rung. 

Since praises of old Romulus were sung ! 

"The King is dead ! Long live the king, '" we say ? 

And Romulus is sovereign still, to-day ! 

Not he who suckled by the wolf, was fierce, 

His own twin brother, with a spear to pierce ! 

To glor}' over brother who was slain, 

And wear upon his brow the mark of Cain ! 

Not so. Not so. The Romulus we praise. 

The daughter fair, with smiling, winning ways, 



l6 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 

Hath milk of human kindness in her veins ; 
In peace and love and happiness she reigns ! 
She holds her sceptre in her lily hand, 
O'er lo)al subjects in this favored land ! 

No mark of sin upon her brow is seen, 

She is our glorious Romulus, our Queen ! 

Yea, Men of Tyre, travel here to-day, 

Their tribute of respect, and love to pa}'. 

And join the throng who gather round the shrine, 

Of this centennial time, of Auld Lang Syne ! * 

And Junius too lays down historic pen. 

To interchange the worldly thought of men. 

Of husbandry, and wives and daughters fair. 

The glory of this festive day to share ! 

And Ovid, named from ancient poet great. 

Who sang of heroes driven by their fate. 

Impelled by strong desire to lend a hand 

In making this centennial day more grand. 

Sends delegations from her bounteous store. 

Of sons and handsome daughters by the score ; 

With men of dignity and earned renown 

To pay respect to worthy sister town ! 

And on this cheerful bright centennial day, 

From Covert places near and far awa}''. 

Come sons and sires, and wives and daughters sweet 

Their loving sister Romulus to greet ! 

The Old Guard comes from peaceful Waterloo, 
With steady step to join this grand review ! 
Surrendered now, they stand, drawn up in line, 
And gracefully salute our Auld Lang Syne ! 
Prophetic words have come, that strife shall cease ; 
And enemies in war shall meet in peace ! 
The sword to plow-share beat ; and battle spear 
To pruning hook is turned, we witness here I 
Oh glorious dawn of peace, with radiance bright ; 
Our eyes are brought to see the wondrous sight ! 

Queen Romulus, thy charming hills and vales. 

No longer bear the marks of Indian trails ! 

Queen Romulus, no longer thy ravines, 

Will echo savage yells mid scalping scenes ! 

The century chimes to-day, are chimes of Peace ! 

The grand "Old Hundred" hymn sounds man's release 

From shedding brother's blood ; w^hile centuries go, 



CKNTENNiAi. OK R():\n i.rs. 17 

The\- sing "Praise God, trom wiioni all blessings flow "! 

Old Hector, warrior of the ancient past ; 

Victorious Trojan chief, from first to last, 

With sweet Andromache, his chosen })ride, 

I'onght Ajax when Jove's lightning he defied ! 

While Homer, Grecian poet, in his rh>nies. 

Portrayed the l)loody battles of those times ; 

And deified with chosen words the best, 

Achilles, Ajax, Hector and the rest I 

And closed the chapter with a sad refrain. 

When hero Hector, battle scarred, was slain ! 

Our modern Hector, happ}' now, is seen. 

With incense brought for Romulus the Queen ! 

And places on her brow a wreath to-day, 

( )f peace and love, that never fades awa\- ! 

From all tlae sister towns, on every side ; 

From Old Cayuga's waters, long and wide; 

P'rom vSeneca's waves, and her surrounding hills; 

PVom deep ravines, cascades and rocks and rills ; 

PVom Old Taughaunock gorge, and Watkins glen, 

Wliere rainbows play with sunshine now and then, 

Ontario's waters too, where Northern light. 

Illumes the distant horizon at night; 

From vSeneca Falls, where Skoi-yase waters roar, 

And speed along to Old Cayuga's shore ; 

From quiet sister \'arick in repose, 

Wuere peace and plenty blossom like the rose ; 

P"'rom P'a3'ette's thrifty fields where sunbeams dance, 

PVom lake to lake across her broad expanse ; 

These kindred spirits, now their greeting send 

To Romulus, their sister, queen and friend ! 

yueen Romulus, Old Seneca's daughter fair ; 
These loving sister towns, thy glorj' share ! 
By rich inheritance they bore thy name ; 
And in th}' royal stock still hold a claim! 
And while the chimes ring out, with music sweet. 
They place the wreaths of roses at thy feet ! 
And with a sister's love and warm embrace. 
Upon thy brow, this crown of peace the>' place ! 

(^ueen Romulus, Old Seneca's daughter fair; 
This crown of peace, forever thou shalt wear ! 
From distant Waj-ne, whose hea\-y laden trees 
Of fruit are kissed b>- gentle northern breeze, 
P'rom Old Ontario Count}-, with her show. 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



Of vine clad slopes, lit up by sunset glow : 

From Tompkins, Yates and vSchuyler's sunny glades, 

From Old Cayuga County's palisades; 

A grand salute is wafted through the air, 

To Romulus, Old vSeneca's daughter fair ! 

A hundred times the month of roses, June, 

Has waved her hand good-bye, to winter's reign ! 

.A hundred times, the glorious harvest moon 

Hath shed her beams o'er fields of golden grain ! 

A hundred times, the birds have flown a\\a)- ! 

And left their nests, for region mild and warm ! 
A hundred times, the meadow, turning grey. 

Foretold the coming of the Winter storm ! 

A hundred times was laid aside the plow ! 

A hundred times, the yellow corn in sight ! 
A hundred times, the apples on the bough, 

Turned rosy cheeks for kiss of morning light ! 

A hundred times, the leaves were painted red ! 

A hundred times, the flowers went to seed ! 
A hundred times, the bees had gone to bed ! 

A hundred times was Winter's reign decreed ! 

A hundred times did Autumn come and go ; 

And Spring returned, received with open arms 1 
A hundred times, was Nature's robe of snow 

Wrapped round her form, to hide her summer charms. 

A hundred years, since Romulus was named 1 
vSince first indeed, the christening robe she wore ! 

With century chimes, her glory is proclaimed . 
The queen of peace, and love forevermore ! 

Within the seven-hilled city. Ancient Rome, 
Amid the splendors of a monarch's home : 
Upon their banners " Romulus" inscribed ; 
A name the Roman warriors deified ! 
"The roads all lead to Rome," in words of gold. 
Are blazoned on the walls of temples old ! 
For Rome's first king, hath issued the decree, 
That Rome, Eternal City, thus should be ; 
That all the power and glory of this world. 
vShould bow before the banners Rome unfurled ! 
The Roman Eagle soared to dizzy heights, 
Unmindful of the prayer for human rights ! 



CKNTKNNIAL Ol* ROMUIJ'S. U) 

Beneath the shadow of those outspread winj^s, 

His talons fastened on all earthly things ! 

The citizen was slave; the State supreme, 

And L,iberty was but a fairy dream ! 

In vain the preacher Paul, from old Mars Hill, 

The words of truth and wisdom would instill ! 

That mighty Roman Kmpire gives no heed. 

That it should fall, as prophesy decreed ! 

And pomp and power and revelry held sway. 

And Christians bled on Roman holida}- ! 

From Romulus to Nero's blood}- reign, 

Was Rome the Mistress of the world's domain ! 

Her templed hills; her emperors so great ! 

Defied the coming of relentless fate ! 

And drunken Nero tunes his harp to praise, 

With Rome, eternal cit)- in a blaze ! 

Eternal cit>' that would always stand, 

The proudest, greatest power in all the land ! 

Btit times are changed, and Rome is changed, and men 

Oppressed ; restored to manhood once again, 

Assert the rights of common brotherhood. 

And show that nothing lives except the good ! 

Does histor)- repeat ? vSlie does indeed ! 

The world moves on, and bids us all God-speed ! 

Yea man}' times, have rung the centur}' chimes ! 

vSince Ancient Rome, went down beneath her crimes 

And still they ring, to usher in the dawn. 

Of Freedom's da}-, when tyrant's sway is gone ! 

When man shall know, to triumph over man, 

Is courting woe, and swift destruction's plan ! 

Those spreading wrings, no longer hide the things, 

That tyrants love, while Freedom's anthem rings ! 

Those talons strong, that once upheld the ^^■rong, 

Now hold the right with Freedom's holy song! 

Those soaring wings, to dizzy heights we see 

A nation's pride ; the emblem of the free ! 

Our banner bears, the same old Roman name ; 

An honored badge, of glory, not of shame ! 

And all roads lead, to our beloved home; 

That home of peace, from which we ne'er shall roam ! 

Our banquet halls, no trophies bear of strife. 

And peace prevails, with calm, contented life ! 

The songs we sing, are not of heroes bold ! 

The gifts we bring are not of gems and gold ! 

Our Romulus is not the one of old ! 



20 CENTENNIAL OE ROMUErS. 



The world moves on, for better, not for worse ; 
And history repeats without the curse ! 
Queen Roniuhis, another century chimes, 
Will find us gone, far back in olden times ! 
But thou shalt li\-e, and blossom like the rose, 
While rivers run, and vSpring-time comes and goes! 
And each centennial year, thy song shall l)e. 
Sweet Freedom's song, " My Country 'tis of thee !" 

Music by the Band followed — when the President at 12:30 
P. M. announced a recess of one hour for dinner. 

The speakers, officers of the day, clergy, representalixes of 
the press, and invited guests, were then escorted to a handsomely 
decked table, spread in a well shaded part of the Gro\-e, where a 
bountiful collation was served b}' the ladies, under the auspices of 
the Committee on Reception and PCntertainment — which was 
heartily enjoyed by all who partook thereof. 

P\amil\- grou])s might be seen in all parts of the (irove, 
enjoying in true Picnic style the generous fare whic-li farmer's 
wives know so well how to provide. 

During the "noon recess" and at other intervals during the 
da\', the opportunit\' was well improved in renewing old ac- 
(juaintance and friendships and the revixing of memories of by- 
gone days. 

AFTKRNOON SPCSSION. 

Promptl>- at 1 130 o'clock p. m. the President called the meeting 
to order, and the Band rendered an appropriate selection of music. 

The President announced the presence of Diedrich Willers, 
of \'arick, who delivenxl the Historical Address as follows: 



"I w isli this task li;iil falUMi into some better hands, that niiij,hl have* 
performed it to the hfe. 1 shall oidv draw the cnrtain and open mv Utile 
caseiiient, that so others of lari^er aliilities, mav let in a hriyiiter liuht." 

Cai^t. John Mason, in "Petpiot War." 



CENTKNNIAL OK KO.M riJ'S. 2\ 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen ; 

It is characteristic of the American people to ]xiuse at inter- 
vals in the progress of time, and review the events of the past. 

A little more than a year ago, (May ist, 1S93). there opened 
in the city of Chicago, Illinois, a grand Kxposition or World's fair, 
in commemoration of the four hundredth anniversary of the dis. 
covery of America 1)\' Christopher Columbus. 

The Columbian fair was visited and patroni/.ed during a pe- 
riod of six months, not alone by the American people, but by repre- 
sentatives as well, of nearly all the civilized and enlightened 
nations of the world, and even some from half civilized and bar- 
l)arous countries — all vied with each other, in bestowing honors 
upon the great discoverer — who, while living, had not always 
received his merited reward and due recognition from the so\er- 
eigns under whose atispices he served. 

An eminent English historian, speaking of the commemora- 
tion of a prominent event, occurring centuries ago, remarked : 
"That a people which take no pride in the noble achievements of 
their ancestors, will never achieve anything worth}' to be remem- 
bered with pride by their descendants." 

It has been well said — that "it is the province of history, to 
rescue virtuous deeds from the obli\-ion, to which a want of 
records would consign them." 

The people of the present town of Romulus, and of the town 
of\'arick, the yougest child of old Romulus, have to-day assem- 
bled, to commemorate an important historical epoch in the history 
of the town — which one hundred years ago was organized by act 
of the Legislattire of this vState, at the same time, when the cotmty 
of Onondaga was formed — the centennial of which was last week 
fittinglj- observed in the cit\' of S3'racttse. 

In my remarks, I will in the main, include what I have to 
say of Varick, with the town of Romulus. 

It is not my purpose in reviewing the past, to attempt to 
produce the unwritten history of the period prior to occupation by 
the white man. 

At the time of General John ,Sulli\-an's campaign against the 



CENTENNIAL ()!• R0:MULUS. 



Indians in New York, during the Revolutionary conflict, the terri- 
tory between Cayuga and Seneca lakes was inhabited chiefly by 
the Cayuga Tri])e of Indians — the hue of division between the 
Cayugas and Senecas, being as beheved, the east shore of Seneca 
lake and nortliward from the lake to Ontario lake, following sub- 
stantially the locality of the new Pre-emption line. 

These two tribes, with the IMohawks, the Oneidas, the Onon- 
dagas and Tuscaroras, formed the confederac\' known as the Six 
Nations or Iroquois Indians — of which it has been said — that their 
organization and form of government, have been the wonder and 
admiration of scholars and statesmen of all nations. 

It is an interesting and creditable fact, and worthy of notice, 
that the earliest white visitors in this localit}', were prompted in 
making their visitations, not b}- hope of gain, but to christianize 
and ameliorate the condition of the Red man of the forest. I re- 
fer to the Jesuit mi.ssionaries who visited the Cayuga Indians as 
early as 1656, and established a mission near Savannah (now in 
Wayne county) in the territory of old Romulus, about 1670. 

The Moravian missionaries, Cammerhoff and Zeisberger, in 
June, T750, also visited the Cayugas and passed through our terri- 
tory- in going westward to meet the Senecas, on a mission of peace 
and bearing the gospel message to them. 

Rev. vSamuel Kirkland, the self-denying missionar}' to the In- 
dians, who visited Geneva in 1765, and resided there with the 
Senecas more than a year, also officiated during that period within 
our bounds. 

During the dark days of Indian warfare in the Wyoming Val- 
ley, Pa., preceding the Sullivan expedition, L,uke Swetland was 
captured by the Indians, August 24th, 1778, and taken in captiv- 
ity to the Indian village of Kendaia, in the bounds of the town of 
Romulus, where he remained until released by General John 
Sullivan's army, September 5th, 1779. His interesting Narrative 
of his captivity and residence of one year and two days at Kendaia, 
published a number of years ago, forms an entertaining chapter in 
the histor\' of Romulus. 

In this Narrative, Mr. Swetland alludes to the fact that late 
in the fall of 17 78, he sowed one quart of wheat — the first wheat 



CKNTKNNIAI, OF KOIMITIJT?. 23 



doubtless sowed by a white mau in this county. The spirit of 
resignation to his fate, and the trust in Dix'ine protection which 
pervades his narration, as also the mention made of daj's specially 
set apart b}' him for private meditation and prayer, are indeed \'ery 
pathetic. Mr. Swetland returned with the army to Pennsylvania, 
where he died at W'xoming- Village, Januar}- 30, 1823, aged 93 
years 

The army of (leneral Sulli\'an upon its march northwest to 
the Genesee river, reached our town, on Sunday, vSeptem1)er 5th, 
1779 A lialt of one day was made at Kendaia village, situated 
one half mile east froni vSeneca lake, about two miles south of the 
present railway station and modern village called Kendaia, ujkju 
lands now owned by Edward Van Vleet, upon Militar>- I/)t, 
number se\'enty-nine, called also by the army, Appletown. Tlie 
village at that time, consisted of t went}' or more houses of hewn 
logs, with roofs thatched with the bark of trees, and some of tlie 
houses were painted. Kendaia was evidently an old and import- 
ant town, as the superior style and condition of its houses indicated, 
and here, too, were found tombs of Indian warriors. At this 
village, the army found an apple orchard of about sixty trees, with 
peach trees and other fruit. 

When the arm\- marched from Kendaia on the following day, 
(vSeptember 6th), the village was left in ashes. A march of only 
three miles northward was made that da}', to a ravine sometimes 
called Indian Hollow, at or near the present Varick line. 
Leaving this camp early on the morning of vSeptember 7th, a 
march of eight miles northward, along or near the lake shore, to 
the outlet of Seneca lake, was made, and Kanadesaga (Geneva) 
.being reached, the army again halted. 

On the return of the army from the Gene.see river, the main 
army returned through the territory of Romulus, September 20th, 
2 1 St and 2 2d, over the same route as taken in the outward march, 
encamping on the night of September 21st, two miles south, of 
Appletown. 

While the main arnn- was at Geneva, several detachments 
\^■ere sent out to destroy Indian villages — Skoiyase having already- 
been destroyed vSeptember 8th. One of these detachments under 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



command of Colonel Henry Dearborn, marched southward upon 
the west side of Ca3-uga lake, starting on September 21st, and on 
vSeptember 22d, 1779, destroyed the Indian village of Swah-ya- 
wa-nah, on Military Lot numl)er 71, (on the farm now owned by 
Edward R. Dean), in Romulus. This detachment encamped on the 
nights of vSeptember 21st and 22d, in the territory of Romulus and 
rejoined the main army near Newtown, (now Elmira), September 
26th. All the journals of the Sulli^ an expedition, speak in the 
strongest possible terms, of the rich fields of corn, the abundance 
of fruit trees, melons, and vegetables, which were found and either 
used or destroyed, as a punishment for the ]:>arbarities inflicted 
upon the white settlements 1)\- the Indians. 

A number of the early settlers of Romulus, suffered Indian 
captivity, during or after the Revolutionary vvar, among whom 
may be mentioned Joseph Wyckoff and Kezia Force, the lady 
who afterward became his wife ; also Andrew McKnight and Mrs. 
Mary Swarthout, wife of Jolm Swarthout. 

It is not, however, necessary to follow further, the army of 
General Sullivan, which so severely punished the Indians, — 
the management of which campaign was accorded the a])pro\al of 
General George Washington and the Continental Congress. 

The war of the Revolution terminated in 1783, and tlie sol- 
diers of the army returning to their homes— some of them, who 
had accompanied General Sullivan, with pleasant recollections of 
the pictures(iue lakes and fertile soil of western New York. 

vSoon after the close of the war, the State of New York, 1)\- 
treaties with the Onondaga and Cayuga Indian tribes, aajuired 
title in 1788 and 1789, (February 25th) to a large area of land 
lying east of Seneca lake and extending north to Lake Ontario, ' 
which was laid (Hit into 28 townships of 100 lots of 600 acres 
t-ach — known as the " Militar}- townships," which were set apart 
as bounty lands to New York soldiers of the Revolutionary war, 
to fulfill promises made to them for their patriotic services. After 
many delays, the military townships were surve>ed in 1790, under 
direction of Surveyor General Simeon Dc Witt, who became a 
resident of Ithaca afterwards— the-township of Romulus, (No. 1 1 ) 
having been surveyed, by Benjamin Dey and others — and patents 



civntj<;nniai, oi" ko-aiulus. 25 



were issued by the State, to soldiers, for the same, in Jul3% 1790. 

Many of the 'nra\'e soldiers had, however, become wearied 
with long waiting for action by the State, and had sold or trans- 
ferred their titles, for a mere song, so to speak, and much con- 
fusion in titles afterwards occurring, the same were passed upon 
and settled by a State commission, appointed under Chapter 51, 
Laws of 1797, known as the " Onondaga Commissioners. " Com- 
paratively few of the old soldiers became actual settlers upon the 
Mihtary tract, which was on March 5th, 1794, organized as the 
county of Onondaga, (by Chap. 18, laws of that year) with Rom- 
ulus, Ovid and IHysses, (all afterwards towns of Seneca county) 
among the towns thereof. 

The names of the Military townships given them b}- the State 
Commissioners of the Land Office, July 3, 1790, are chiefly drawn 
from Grecian and Roman history, and our town of Romulus, bears 
the name of the founder of ancient Rome, of whom we are in- 
formed by legend, that with his brother, he was in early childhood, 
for a time, nourished by a mother wolf.* 

The Military township of Romulus, as mapped, contained 100 
lots of 600 acres each, beginning at the northeast corner of vSeneca 
lake and bounded north by Seneca river, west b}' the count}' line 
on the west shore of Seneca lake, south by Ovid, and east by the 
county line in Cayuga lake and the West Cayuga Reservation; of 
which Militar}' lots, a part — Nos. 6, 7, 8 and 9, are now in the 
town of Seneca Falls — lots i to 5 and 10 to 42, in the town of 
Fayette — lots 43 to 63 and the north part of lot 69, in the town of 
Varick, and the rest of the lots, from 64 to 100, including the 
south part of Lot 69, in the town of Romulus. 

The chain of settlement of this locality Ijy civil jurisdiction 
westward from Albany count}-, being by erection of new counties, 
first Montgomer}- (1772), then Herkimer (Feb. 16, 1791), then 
Onondaga, then Cayuga, and at last Seneca count)', March 24th, 
1804. The town of Romulus comes by succession from the old 
town of Whitestown, once embracing the greater part of central 



* A photogfajih of statuarv ni the capitdl tif ancient Rome, represent- 
ing the wolf suckHng Romulus and Remus, hung u])on the ]ilatform on 
the day of the centennial celebration. 



26 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



and western New York and the town of Peru, incorporated in 
1792, and abolished in 1794, when Onondaga count}^ was erected. 

When the town of Romulus was incorporated by the lyCgis- 
lature in 1794, its boundaries were described by the Onondaga 
count)' act; as follows; " All that part of said county, comprehend- 
ing the Toicnships of Romulus, Junius and Galen, together with 
the lands b'ing west of the townships of Hannibal and Cato, north 
of the .said township of Galen and south of Lake Ontario, as also 
all that part of the lands reserved to the Cayuga nation of Indians, 
lying on the west side of Cayuga lake— shall be and is erected into 
a toicn hy the name of Romulus." 

The area of the town of Romulus it will be seen, comprised 
the three Militar}^ towuiships of Romulus, Junius and Galen of 
60,000 acres of land each, a considerable portion of the Military 
township of vSterling, the Williamson Compen.sation Patent, etc. , 
comprehended within the territory lying north of Galen township 
and between the same and lake Ontario, about 80,000 acres — and 
akso the West Cayuga Indian Reservation now in Varick, Fayette 
and Seneca Falls, laid out into 84 lots aggregating 19,566 acres, 
which by treaty with the Cayugas at Cayuga Ferry, July 27th, 
1795, became the property of the State, and the Canoga and 
vSkoiyase Reservations of 600 acres each. The total area of Rom- 
ulus from March 5th, 1794, to March 14th, 1800 — when the town 
of P'ayette (Washington) was erected — covered fully 280,000 acres, 
of which 140,000 acres are now^ in Seneca county, and the other 
one half in Wayne county — a stretch of magnificent countr}' with 
rich and fertile .soil, extending at least forty-five miles from Ovid 
at the south to Lake Ontario at the north, with a width of from 
ten to fifteen miles. The west boundary, from Seneca lake north- 
ward to Ontario lake, followed the new Pre-emption line. The 
area of the original Romulus, as here given, does not include any 
part of the waters of Lake Ontario. The north bounds of old 
Romulus were the north bounds of this State, formed by the line 
Ijetween Canada and the United States. 

The original territory includes seven towns of Seneca county — 
Romulus, Varick, Fayette, Junius, Waterloo, Seneca F'alls and 
Tyre — and the towns of Galen, Savannah, Wolcott, Butler, Rose 



Cl'tNTKNNIAI. Ol' KO.Ml'I.US. 27 



and Huron in Wayne county. This large area, comprising a tract 
of land nearly one-half as large as one of the small States of the 
Union, now has a population of 36,400 of whom 20,700 reside in 
Seneca county, including fully three-fourths of the population of 
this county. (See al>stract of patents in Appendix A). 

It is sad to think, that the once powerful Cayuga tribe of In- 
dians, does not to-da)- own a foot of the soil of this vState — while 
only the Onondaga, Oneida and Tuscarora tribes of the vSix Na- 
tions still hold small reservations of land in this vState, under their 
own names. The Senecas, once the most populous and warlike of 
the tribes of the Six Nations, now live, indeed, upon State reser- 
vations, which however no longer bear their name. 

In the legislative records of this State, ma}- ])e found a peti- 
tion for relief, from some of the early pioneer settlers between 
Ca3-uga and Seneca lakes, in which they set forth, that they made 
settlements upon the Military Tract, then unallotted, in the year 
1788, six years before the organization of the town of Romulus. 
(See copy of Petition, in Appendix). 

The names of David Wisner, Anthou}', John and Nathaniel 
Swarthout and David Depue, are included in the petition, and 
the}' may undoubtedly be regarded as the earliest settlers, within 
the territor}^ of the present town of Romulus. The Swarthouts 
located on Military Lot 94, David Wisner on I^ot 95, and David 
Depue near the center of the town. 

The names of James Cooley and James King, also appear in 
the Petition, but their places of location caiuiot be ascertained, and 
it may possibly have been in the Varick part of the town. 

The earliest permanent settlements were made along the 
west shore of the town, along or near Seneca Lake, with a few 
settlements along Cayuga lake, on Military Lots 71 and 78. 

In 1789 (the year in which the machinery of the government 
of the United States under its Con.stitution, was set in motion, and 
Oeorge Washington was inaugurated as the first President) and 
from year to year, up to the official organization of the town in 
1794, there were gradual additions made to the pioneer settlers, 
from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Orange and other eastern 
counties of this State, Long Island, &c. Among the .settlers dur- 



28 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 

ing this period, ma}^ be mentioned Abraham Brown, John Flem- 
ing, James Finch, James Alexander, Alia McMath, Stephen Mil- 
ler, Benjamin Sutton, James McKnight, William Seeh', Benajah 
Boardman, William Winter, Timothy Cone and Captain Andrew 
Smith, some of whom have no descendants now left in the town. 

Early in the j-ear of organization, 1794, came John Sayre and 
Haj-nes Bartlett. The first named, settled on Lot 72 and the 
latter located a farm on lyOt 65 near Seneca lake, which has been 
in possession of his descendants to this date, and his grandson, our 
presiding officer to-day, now lives upon the spot where his grand- 
father first located. In the interval from 1794 to iSoo, large ac- 
cessions were made to the population of the town, of whom a few 
pioneers will be named: 

Isaac Johnson, Jcseph Wyckoff, Elijah and Ephraim Kinne, 
Joseph Hunt, Thomas Blain, Jonas Seely, Joshua Hallock, Capt. 
Al)el Frisbie, Bastian Williams, Ezekiel Hays, John Stone, Sam- 
uel Waldron, Asa Smith, with the Huff, Bainbridge, Bailey, 
Finton, Denton, Yerkes, Shattuck and Brewster families. 

In that part of Romulus now in Varick, the permanent set- 
tlement began it is believed a year or two later. Benjamin De}- 
who surveyed the military tract in 1790, became an owner of 
several lots therein and it is supposed, located upon Military Lot 
49, in 1 79 1 or 1792, having erected the first frame house in town, 
already in 1794. Other earl}' settlers in the territory of Varick, 
prior to 1800, were James Cooley, Peter Basum, Jacob Eowden, 
Frederick Kistler, John King, Jr., James King, James Barr, 
Joseph Haynes, Robert White, Andrew McKnight, James Ben- 
nett, John Williams, Samuel Falkinburg, with the Hood, Hatha- 
way, Beach, Karr and Woodruff famihes. 

Soon after the opening of the present century, population 
rapidly increased and more than doubled in the first decade. 
Among the early settlers after 1800 may be mentioned: Dr. Ethan 
Watson, Wm. W. Folwell, Mather Marvin, Ezra Miller, Ira Gid- 
dings, Jared Van Vleet, and the Baldridge, Bryant, Hayt, Sharp, 
Coe, Gurnee, Doremus, McEafferty, Warne, Van Duyn, Marsh, 
Terhuneand Burton famihes in Romulusand David Harris, Wilham 
Blain, James Monroe, vSkillman Doughty, Joseph Darrovv, Jeptha 



CKNTKNNIAI^ OK ROMULUS. 29 



Wade, David Edwards, and the Lenimon, Jacobus, Steele, Bur- 
roughs, Christopher, Roberts, Crane, King, Wilcox, Kinkley, 
Kniens, Allen, Abbott, Sample, Hunt, Ayres, Ludluni, Mann, Am- 
brose, and McDuffee families, in the Varick portion of the town. 

Beginning with the early years of the century and indeed dur- 
ing the first quarter thereof, there were large additions made to the 
population of Romulus (chiefly in the part thereof in Varick) of 
families of Pennsylvania-Germans of the name Oambee, Frantz, 
Gamber, Kuney, lyeisenring, Fat/.inger, Pontius, (roodman, Krns- 
berger. Stahl, L,autenschlager, Crobaugh, Blasser, Deal, Ritter, 
Acker, Lerch, Yost, Braun, Miller and Bergstresser, forming with 
their descendants, a valuable accession to the population. 

With such an admixture of sturdy settlers, as the Scotch, Irish 
and Germans of Pennsylvania, the Dutch of New Jersey and lyong 
Island, with a sprinkling of Yankees — the early population was 
made up — and the characteristics of their descendants have been 
maintained, as those of a frugal, industrious, hospitable, conserva- 
tive and reliable people — not subject to frequent fluctuations and 
changes, but cautious, stable and trustworthy in all the relations 
of life, public and private. 

I will not forget to give credit here, and honor due, to the 
many patriots of the Revolutionary war, who settled in Romulus 
— an important element in its make up, being constituted by this 
sturdy, patriotic people, many of whose descendants now inhabit 
the town. I regret, that I cannot present a full roster, containing 
their names 

Well ma\- it be said of many of these Revolutionary fathers : 

" They left the ploughshare in the mould. 

Their flocks and herds without a fold. 

The sickle in the un.shorn grain. 

The corn, half garnered on the plain, 

And mustered in their simple dress. 

For wrongs to seek a stern redress. 

To right those wrongs, come weal, come woe, 

To perish, or o'ercome the foe " 

It is difficult in the absence of any sytem of registration, to 
give with accuracy, a satisfactory- account of the early births, mar- 
riages and deaths in Romulus, prior to say 1800. 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMUIvUS. 



It is believed that the first female child of the pioneer settlers, 
born in town, was Elcy Fleming, daughter of John Fleming, born 
July 21, 1 79 1, and the first male child, George Alexander, a son 
of James, born March lo, in the same year. Other early births 
were those of Stephen R. Miller in 1792, EHza Sutton and Samuel 
Fleming in 1793, Arazina Cone, in 1794, Kezia Bartlett, in 1795 
and Kliza Sayre in 1796. John Williams, born in 1796, it is be- 
lieved, was the first child horn upon the West Cayuga Reservation 
along Caj'Uga lake, in the town of Varick. A daughter and a son of 
Benajah Boardman, born in 1791 and 1793 respectively, in this 
county, should, it is believed, be added to this list. 

Information as to early marriages, is very meagre. The lack 
of local clergy, perhaps led to postponments, and certainly did not 
tend to promote marriages. The first marriage of which we have 
knowledge, was that of Timothy Cone and Mary Gorham, daugh- 
ter of Jabez Gorham, in 1793. The marriage of KHzabeth Mc- 
Math to Mahlon Bainbridge, took place Dec. 22, 1796. Other 
early marriages were those of Elijah Kinne and Hester Wisner, in 
1797, KHphalet Shattuck and Jane Wiley and John Stone and 
Philinda Shattuck in 1798, and of Isaac Johnson and Mary Thurs- 
ton in 1799. 

Many early burials were made in private family burial 
grounds, at an early day, and headstones in the old cemetery at 
Willard, formerly Lancaster, date back to 1795. There were also 
early interments at the Romulus Baptist church cemetery and in 
the cemetery at Romulus village, commencing earl>- in this cen- 
tury. 

The first death in town of which any trace has been obtained, 
is that of Je.sse Fleming, April 29, 1795. Margaret McMath 
died in July of the same year, aged 21 years, and Archibald Mc- 
Math on September, 1796, aged 18 years. Joshua Reeves, a pio- 
neer settler died in 1797, and his will was proven by the surrogate 
of Onondaga County, before the erection of Cayuga county. 

Other deaths of prominent pioneer settlers in the early history 
of the town, were those of John Fleming in 1800, Wm. Seeley in 
1803, Alia McMath in 1804, James Alexander in 1805 and James 
McKnight in 1808. 



CIvNTl'iNNIAI, Ol' KOMUI^US. 3I 

The history of Romulus gives many instances of longevity, 
to which its salubrious air, from its location between the lakes, 
and the occupation and simple habits of its people, have doubtless 
contributed. 

A notable instance may Ijc mentioned in the person of Mrs. 
Arazina Cone Fleming — a daughter of Timothy Cone and his wife 
Mary Gorhani. She was born in Romulus, October 9, 1794, and 
her husband, Robert Fleming, an estimable citizen, to whom she 
was married Dec. 7, 1S26, died in the town, Feby. 3, 1858. 

It was my pleasure, a few days ago, to see and converse with 
Mrs. Fleming, who resides at South Waterloo, in this county, 
upon the territory of the mihtary township of Romulus; I found 
her bright and cheerful, with faculties very little impaired, and 
but for an accident which befell her some months ago, she would 
be present with us to-day, (as she is in spirit), to celebrate her 
own centennial, as well as that of the town of her birth. Were 
.she here, what a remarkable reminder of the e\'ents of a century 
past, would she present to us ! In her absence, .she sends cor- 
dial greetings, and salutations to the old town of Romulus.* All 
honor to the worthy centennarian ! 

The earliest families removing here from Pennsylvania, by 
primitive conveyance by water and on land, in the covered Penn- 
.sylvania wagons, described by .someone, as the "ark" or "ship of 
our inland commerce," u.sually came to Newtown (Elniira) and 
thence to the head of Seneca or Cayuga lake, or came the entire 
way by wagon. 

Others coming from Long Island and the Eastern vStates, 
came b)- flat boats or bateaux, up the Hudson and Mohawk rivers, 
crossing by portage to Wood Creek and Oneida lake to Seneca 
river, and ascending the same to the foot of Cayuga or Seneca 
lake. 

It w^ould, indeed be curious to know, what kind of craft was 
employed upon our lakes in those days, by our pioneers ; perhaps 
a primitive flat-boat or dug out canoe. 

* At this stage of tlie address the entire audience arose, in hoiuir oi 
Mrs. Fleming, and m recognition and acknowledgment of her salutation. 



32 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



The Documentary History of the State of New York, makes 
mention, however, that in 1792, a small boat and canoe were ply- 
ing at the foot of Seneca lake, and at Geneva, in 1796, a sailing 
sloop of forty tons burthen was launched upon the same lake, for 
freighting purposes. 

Klkanah Watson of Albany, N. Y., who was an early pur- 
chaser of soldier's titles to lands in the mihtary township of Rom- 
ulus, visited here in September 1791, crossing Cayuga lake at the 
Cayuga ferry, in a boat, in which he came up the Mohawk river 
and by portage to Seneca river and up the same to Cayuga lake. 
He mentions that he sailed northward to Seneca river, and passed 
up the same to Geneva, having been assisted in passing Seneca 
Falls by Job Smith, then located there, at the carrying place 
around the Falls! 

Mr. Watson in tiie pubHshed journal of his tour, of 1791, in 
speaking of Cayuga lake, says "I was delighted on entering this 
charming lake. The shores on each side swell into gentle emi- 
nences ; but our view south was obstructed by a point of land pro- 
jecting from each shore." 

In his journal under date of Sep. 29, 1791, he speaks of his 
approach b}- Seneca river to Seneca lake, on the evening of that 
day, in this eloquent and prophetic language — "The sun was just 
setting as we entered the lake, which opened upon us like a new 
creation rising to our view in picturesque and romantic beaut}-. 
Our prospect extended south, over a bold sheet of water. The 
tops of the hills and trees were just tinged with the rays of the de- 
parting sun ; the evening was serene ; and my mind involuntarily 
expanded, in anticipating the time when the borders of the lake 
will be stripped of nature's livery, and in its place will be rich en- 
closures, pleasant villas, numerous flocks, herds, etc., and it will 
be inhabited by a happy race of people, enjoying the rich fruits of 
their own labors and the luxury of sweet liberty and indepen- 
dence, approaching to a millennial state." 

Mr. Watson, adds in his journal, that on the day following 
— September 21, 1891, he re-embarked and traversed the lake 
obliquely to Appletown, (where his relatives the late Dr. Ethan 



CKNTF^NNIAI. OF KOMULUS. 33 



Watson, settled about fifteen years afterward) eleven miles by his 
water route from Geneva. Arriving at Appletown, lie says, — 
"We pitched our tent on a fine tract of land. It contains exten- 
sive orchards of scattered old trees, the only fruit trees of the 
country. Here Sullivan's conquering army wreaked its ven- 
geance, by destroying orchards, corn, wigwams, &c. Many of the 
trees are girdled; and marks of the destroying axe of the soldiery 
are yet to be seen in every direction." Mr. Watson returned 
Sept. 23d, overland from Appletown, by an Indian path, to 
Cayuga ferry, a distance of seventeen miles. 

My audience will pardon me, if I give further extracts from 
Mr. Watson's journal of 1791, descriptive of the charming lakes 
which wash respectively, the east and west shores of our town. 

On Sept. 24th, he started up Cayuga lake, by boat. He says : 
' ' We landed occasionally ; noticed distant smoke and here and 
there a log hut embosomed in the venerable forest. In the south- 
west quarter, the township of Ovid made its appearance. It rises 
beautifully from the shore toward the centre. The tops of the 
trees resemble waving fields of wheat, at a distance. The map of the 
world does not exhibit, in any other country, two lakes equal in 
magnitude to the Seneca and Cayuga, so singularly and happily 
situated. What a fertile theme for poets, painters, philosophers and 
travelers, for the last two thousand years, had the}^ been found 
in Italy! " 

Speaking of the country between the lakes, Mr. Watson 
adds : "In general, except toward the south, the country lying 
between these beautiful lakes, rises gradually in symmetry from 
the opposite shores toward the centre, producing a pleasing effect. 
Whenever it reaches a cultivated state, by the vigorous arm of 
freemen, it will become the 'Paradise of America.' Nothing can 
exceed the beauty of the country' on the west shore of Cayuga 
lake, viewed at about five miles from its entrance, including both 
the Cayuga Reservation and the town of Ovid, which bear a strong 
resemblance to the west shore of Seneca lake. The tops of the 
trees were in beautiful uniformit}', the symmetry being in no 
manner broken by hills of great magnitude, except in one place, 



34 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



where there is a small cluster of white pines, overlooking all the 
adjacent regions. 

Mr. Watson concludes his glowing description with this elo- 
quent peroration : "In a word, I almost deplored the short span 
of human life, that 1 cannot witness the happiness of those blessed 
generations of Americans, yet unborn, who are destined to inherit 
these delightful regions. 

It will not detract from Mr. Watson's really poetic prose 
description, if we quote the lines of a poem addressed to Seneca 
lake, and applicable as well to Cayuga : 

"On thy fair bosom, silver lake, 

The wild swan spreads his snowy sail. 
And round his breast the ripples l>reak. 

As down he bears before the gale." 

"On thy fair bosom, waveless stream, 

The dipping paddle echoes far. 
And flashes in the moonlight gleam, 

And bright reflects the polar star. 

"The waves along the pebly shore. 

As blows the north wind, heave their foam. 

And curl around the dashing oar. 
As late the boatman hies him home. 

"How sweet, at set of sun to view. 

Thy golden mirror spreading wide. 
And .see the mist of mantling blue ^ 

Float round the distant mountain's side ! 

"At midnight hour, as shines the moon, 

A sheet of silvery .spreads below. 
And swift she cuts, at highest noon, 

lyight clouds, like wreaths of purest snow. 

"On thy fair bosom, silver lake, 

O ! I could ever sweep the oar. 
When early birds at morning wake, 

And evening tells us toil is o'er." 

— Percival. 

Mr. Watson again visited vSeneca county in 1818, as the guest 
of Colonel Wilhelmus Mynderse of Seneca Falls, and then already 
witnes.sed many marvelous changes — notably the opening of canal 



CENTKNNIAL 01< ROMULUS. 35 



locks at that village, at the time of his visit. He died at Port 
Kent, N. Y., December 5th, 1842, aged 85 years. 

The Civil History of Romulus may be properly divided into 
three periods : 

1. From its organization in 1794 to its first division, March 

14, iSoo. 

2. From March 1800 to February 6, 1830. 

3. From February 1830, to the present time. 

The act of 1794, erecting the town of Romulus, provided for 
holding the first town meeting at the house of Benajah Boardman, 
and we must suppose that it was accordingly held there. 

It has been well said, in substance, that the town meeting is 
deserving of especial consideration, since here are, or should be, 
practiced, pure Democratic — Republican methods. Here all meet 
on the same level. Here is free speech, without fear or favor. 
The people of the town meet once a j-ear, to confer together for 
the general good, to discuss questions affecting taxation, the pub- 
he schools, roads and bridges, the support of the poor and the 
election of town officers. 

The first town meeting held in town, April i, 1794, elected 
as its chief officer — Supervisor, Benajah Boardman, and WiUiam 
Winter as Town Clerk and the town records have, it is gratifying 
to say, been preserved complete to this date. At the election of 
1794, there were also elected three Assessors, three Highway 
Commissioners, two Overseers of poor, two constables, two pound 
keepers, two fence viewers, a Collector and five Overseers of 
Highways. 

Mr. Boardman was re-elected vSupervisor in 1795, at a town 
meeting held at James McKnight's, (on the shore of Seneca Lake, 
where C. C. Pontius now resides), and again in 1796. 

The following facts have been gathered as to his life : 

Benajah Boardman was born at Ncwington, town of Wethers- 
field, Connecticut, May 14, 1749- He was twice married and was 
the father of nine children. 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



He removed to Newtown (Klmira) at an early da}', where 
one of his daughters was born, April 17, 1789. Soon afterward he 
removed to Ovid or its vicinity, where he was interested in a 
primitive grist mill, one of the tlrst in the county, erected in 1793, 
on lyOt Number Two, Ovid, a little west of Ovid Village. One 
of his daughters, L,ucy, was there born, November 23, 1791, and 
a son, Benajah, his youngest child, was also born there, October 
14, 1793- 

The exact localit}- of Mr. Boardman's first residence in Rom- 
ulus, can not now be positive!}' ascertained, and it is possible, that 
his residence, attributed to the town of Ovid, was all the time 
across the line in Romulus, or Upon I,ot Number 72, which he 
purchased as early as September, 1790. He is known later on, to 
have resided at Boardmansburgh, near the center of the present 
town of Fayette and several 3'ears after the erection of that town, 
was elected its Supervisor, in 1803. He also served many years 
as a magistrate and was always an active and enterprising citizen. 
Late in life, he removed from the Burgh to a farm north of 
Canoga Village, and near Cayuga lake, in the town of Fayette, 
where he died after a brief illness from a prevailing disea.se known 
at the time as "The Epidemic" (and wfiich at first baffled the .skill 
of phj'sicians) February 27, 181 3, aged sixty-four 3'ears. He was 
buried in the cemetery at the Burgh, near where he had long re- 
sided, and it is to be regretted, that no head stone marks the place 
of his interment. 

At the town meeting held April 4, 1797, George Bailey was 
elected Supervisor, and he was re-elected as such in 1 798 and 
1799. In the latter year, the county of Cayuga was erected, 
(Chapter 26, Laws of 1799) and Romulus became a town of that 
county. The number of overseers of highways had increa.sed from 
five in 1794, to seventeen, in 1799, showing marked attention to 
the laying out and improvement of the public roads. 

The immense territorial area of Romulus was divided by the 
Legislature, by Chapter 24, passed March 14, iSoo, and the 
town of Washington, (Fayette), was formed therefrom, which 
included all of the territory of Romulus north of the present town 



CENTKNNIAL OF KOMUI^US. 37 



of Varick. In 1803, Feby. 12, b}' Chapter Seven, Laws of that 
\ear, the town of Junius was erected, comprising all the original 
territory of Romulus, north of the present boundaries of Fayette. 

During the period from 1794 to 1799, but few important ques- 
tions were considered at the town meetings of Romulus. 

In April, 179S, it was Resolved that William Brewster, Dan- 
iel Sayre and Benjamin Dey be a Committee to examine into the 
state of the taxes which ha\'e l)een collected in this town previous 
to town meeting," 

The town meeting of 1797, voted a bounty of three pounds 
(^'3) for the scalp of each wolf killed in town, and in 1798 a 
bounty of twenty shillings was voted for the scalp of each bear so 
killed. The early settlers occasionally encountered wolves, 
panthers and bears, and thrilling adventures and narrow escapes 
are related, but the town records show no disbursements for wolf 
or bear scalps. 

The town meeting of 1799, voted in favor of dividing the 
town, and George Bailey, Benjamin Dey and Benajah Boardman, 
were appointed a committee to determine where the line shall 
run. 

A special town meeting held Nov. 26, 1799, for the purpose 
of choosing three delegates to meet a convention of Delegates in 
the newly erected count}- of Cayuga, elected John Sayre, William 
Brewster, and George Bailey. The same town meeting took the 
uiutsual precaution, to elect James McKnight, Asa Smith, Walter 
W'atrous and Phineas Tuthill, a committee to give instructions to 
such delegates to Cayuga. 

The town meeting from year to year, also adopted resolutions 
declaring swine to be free commoners. Pound Masters were 
elected, and marks to distinguish sheep and cattle when estraj-, 
were recorded in the Town Clerk's Office, as earl}- as April, 1794. 

At the town meeting of 1799, the first trustees of the gospel 
and school lot of the town were elected, to wit : Benjamin 
Dey, Daniel Sayre and Col. Wilhelmus Mynder.se. The 
last named, resided at the falls of the Seneca River, where he died 
January 30, 1838, aged .seventy 3'ears, 



38 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



George Bailey was again chosen supervisor of Romulus under 
its reduced territorial area, at the town meeting held in April 1800, 
but died before the expiration of his term, and John Say re was 
chosen to fill his vacancy Sept 2, 1800. 

It is a matter of regret, that upon dihgent inquiry, no facts 
can be ascertained, in the history of George Bailey, one of the 
earliest settlers at L,ancaster, on Seneca Lake, for a time also called 
in his honor, Baileytown — and who it is believed was a patriot 
soldier of the revolutionary war. 

During the period from 1800 to 1830, the town was served 
by six persons as supervisors, three of which number were chosen 
to serve during an aggregate term of 25 years, one for two years, 
and two for one j^ear each. 

The long tenure and continuance of the public men of this 
town, in official position, and in the confidence of their constitu- 
ency, seems to have been thus early established. 

Judge John Sayre, born at Blooming Grove, Orange Co. , 
N. Y., July 24, 1767, was at the town meeting in April, 1801, 
again chosen supervisor, and continued such, by repeated elections 
to and including 1808. He again filled the same office in 1830, 

1831 and 1832. 

He was elected the first Member of Assembly from Seneca 
County (he being then also supervisor) in 1804, again in 1808, 
and later in life, was a third time chosen, in 1831. He served 
also as surrogate of the count}' from Feb. 181 1 to April 1813, and 
as county treasurer from Oct. 181 7 to Oct. 182 1. He was a mag- 
istrate and served as associate judge of Seneca County Courts, for 
many years, also as loan commissioner for this county, and was 
the first post-master of Romulus postoffice, established Oct. 16, 
1802. He died — March 4, 1848, in the 8ist 3'ear of his age. 

In these days of lightning express railroad trains and fast 
mails, it is interesting to learn of a mail service during Judge 
Sayre's early post-mastership, by carrier once a week from Geneva, 
on horseback, with the letters and mail carried in a very small 
bag, or at times in the vest or coat pocket of the mail carrier, and 
until the primitive mail carrier gave wa}- to the stage line along 



CENTKNNIAI. OF KOMUI.US. 39 



Seneca I^ake, from Geneva to Judge Say re's and Lancaster or 
Ovid, and thence southward. This post-office was not removed to 
Romuhis village until a number of years after its establishment, 
when the stage line from Geneva to Ithaca was also changed to 
an inland stage mail passing through Romulus village. 

During the incumbency of Judge Say re as supervisor, the 
county of vSeneca was erected March 29, 1804 from Cayuga 
county, by Chapter 31, Laws of 1804. 

The act erecting the county of Seneca, shrewdly drawn, 
directed the county seat to be located in the town Ovid, not more 
than four miles south from the north line of Ovid, aiid not less 
than three miles from the Seneca or Cayuga Lake, thus effectually 
shutting off the village of Lancaster, in the southwest corner of 
the town of Romulus, then a larger and much more promising 
village than Ovid. 

This action of the Legislature gave much dissatisfaction in 
the town of Romulus, and at a special town meeting held June 9, 
1804, a ringing set of resolutions were adopted, breathing the 
spirit and fire of the many Revolutionary sires, who were present 
at the meeting, to wit : 

'■Resolved, That the people conceiving it will be oppressive 
to them to raise and collect a tax this year for the purpose of 
building a Court House and Goal, in our country — do therefore, 
direct and require our Supervisor, John Sayre, not to consent to 
or countenance the laying or levying a tax for the above mentioned 
purpose. We, the said people, intend petitioning the Legislature 
at their next session for a repeal of the law appropriating money 
for the above said purpose, until we feel ourselves better able to 
support such a tax, at which time we will also petition the Legis- 
lature to pass a law for the above said purpose. Any other mode 
in procuring a law for raising of money in a county for local 
purposes, ice conceive to be repugnant to the rights of a jree people. 

Resolved, That we, said people conceiving the place, appointed 
by law for the building of a Court House and Goal, as no ways 
convenient to the people of said county, do also intend petitioning 
the Legislature for redress in the premises, and do hereby request 



40 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



of John Sayre, whom it appears is appointed by law one of the 
commissioners for fixing the spot whereon to erect said buildings, 
not to act in that capacity, until we have applied for redress in the 
mode above prescribed." 

The Legislature, however, failed to grant the request of the 
people of Romulus, and in 1805, having amended the law, so as 
to require the location of the county buildings on Military Lot 
Number Three, at Ovid Village, the question was then settled, by 
so locating there. The Board of Supervisors in October, 1S04, 
however, voted to raise only one thousand dollars for a Court 
House and Jail, to which amount, additions were made by subse- 
quent Boards until the buildings were completed, in 1808. 

Jonas Seely, born July 23, 1776, — succeeded to the office of 
supervisor, by election in April, 1808, and held the same b}' re- 
peated re-elections to and including the year 18 14. He was again 
elected to the same office in 1822, 1826 and 1833. In 1821, (with 
Hon. Robert S. Rose, of Fayette), he was chosen to represent 
Seneca County as delegate in the Constitutional Convention held 
in this State, in that year, — and in 1823 and 1824 he was elected 
Member of A.ssembly from this county. In 1832, he was also elect- 
ed a Presidential Elector of this State, and voted, in the Electoral 
College, for Andrew Jackson for President of the United States. 

Judge Seely served as a magistrate of Seneca County, and as 
an a.ssociate Judge for a number of years. He died Aug. 15, 
1 851, aged 75 years. 

William W. Folwell was born at Southampton, Bucks Co., 
Pa., January 28, 176^. Mr. Folwell graduated at Brown Uni- 
versity, Providence, Rhode Island, in 1792, and possessed a 
thorough classical education. He removed to Romulus in 1807, 
.settled near the centre of the town, and was elected .supervisor in 
April, 18 1 5, serving as such one year. He served as the president 
of the Ithaca and Geneva Turnpike company, incorporated in 
1810, and was always an active and influential citizen. He died. 
Oct. 13, 1858, aged 90 j^ears. 

Samuel Blain, born at Warwick, Orange Co., N. Y., January 
!?> i777> who was elected supervisor in April 1816, was another 



ClvN'rivNNIAIv OK K(^MUI,US. , 41 



of the public men of Romulus who long enjoyed the favor of his 
fellow citizens. He was re-elected supervisor from year to year to 
and including 1821, also in 1827, 1828 and 1829. After the town 
of Varick was taken from Romulus, he was chosen its supervisor 
in 1 83 1, 1832, and 1833. Mr. Blain served in the war of 181 2, 
and afterward arose to the rank of Colonel in the local militia. 
He served man}- years as a magistrate, and was elected Member of 
Assembly for this county, for the year 1830, and served in the 
Legislature, which erected the town of Varick. He died January 
2, 1840, aged 63 years. 

Mather Marvin, was elected supervisor, at the town meeting 
of April, 1823, and again in 1825. Dr. Marvin was born at Lyme, 
Connecticut, in 1786. He removed to Romulus \illage about 
1 8 10, where he established himself as a medical practitioner, and 
sub-sequently also engaged there in mercantile business, afterward 
moving upon the Wade farm, on Military Lot Number 59. He 
served for a time in the w'ar of 18 12, and acted for a number of 
years as a magistrate and school inspector in Varick, In 1828, he 
was elected count}- clerk, of Seneca County, and served a full term 
in that capacity. He removed to L,odi, Michigan, in 1833, and 
died there April 8, 1862, aged 76 years. 

Antlion}' Dey, elected supervisor in April, 1824, the oldest 
son of Dr. Philip Dey, was born near Paterson, New Jersey, 
Februar}' 6, 1781. He removed in 1806, to the town of Romulus, 
and there established a tannery on Military Lot Number 49, (one 
mile west of Lemmon's Corners in Varick). Varick postoffice, 
established Nov. 19, 1832, is now located near where the tannery- 
stood, and locally known as Dey's Corners. Mr. Dey was elected 
the first supervisor of Varick in April, 1830, the town having 
received its name from Col. Richard Varick, a relative of the Dey 
family. In the fall of 1830, Mr. Dey removed to Seneca Falls, 
w^here he engaged in milling business. He died there Nov. 14, 
1 85 1, in the 70th }'ear of his age. 

It is not ni}- purpose to continue the biographical sketches of 
supervisors chosen during the third period, after the division and 
the erection of Varick, in 1830. The records of the two towns will 



42 • CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



show, that the position of supervisor has very generally been 
held by capable business men, although for shorter terms than in 
the olden times. (See full hst of Supervisors in Appendix C). 

Nor has the towji of Romulus been wanting in prominent 
men, in other po.sitions of trust and responsibility. 

John D. Coe, born at Ramapo, Orange (now Rockland) 
county, June 12, 1790, settled on Militar}- lyot. No. 70, in Romu- 
lus, in 1 816. He acted as magistrate and associate judge of the 
vSeneca County courts for many years. In the years 1834 and 
1835 ^^^ served Seneca county in the Assembly of this State. For 
a period of forty years, Judge Coe was the treasurer of the Seneca 
county agricultural society, and in the earlier years of his residence, 
his ability and experience as a surveyor, was frequently called into 
jmictice, in the sub-division of lands. He died in November, 
1878, aged 88 years. 

Helini Sutton, son of one of the early settlers, was born in 
Romulus, Januar}' 19, 1S03. He was elected to serve in the 
Assembly at Albany, for the year 1844. He also held the office of 
supervisor of his town in 1854, and died near the spot where he 
was born, November 18, 1884, in the 82d year of his age. 

Mr. Sutton was well known as a man of decided convictions 
and firmness, and an instance of his decision of character is related. 
By the statutes of this vState, it is declared that "vSeneca county is 
bounded on the west, by the west shore of vSeneca L,ake." While 
acting as one of the board of county excise commissioners, al)out 
25 years before his death, with the late Jesse Abbott, of Varick, 
and another, a structure had beon erected on the west side of Sen- 
eca lyake, near Dresden, outside of low water mark and connected 
with the main land adjoining, in w'hich building it was propo.sed 
to engage in business, by evading the excise laws. Mr. 
Sutton insisted that the jurisdiction of Seneca county and 
Romulus, extending to the west shore of vSeneca lake at the point 
in question, brought this ])uilding and the business tran.sacted 
therein, under the control of his board, and the owner and 
manager of the same, was compelled to conform to the laws of the 
State. 



Il 



CKNTKNNIAL OK ROMULUS. 4;^ 



William T. Johnson, a son of one of the pioneers of Roniuhis, 
was born in the town, Dec. 22, 1803. He served as magistrate 
for a number of years, and supervisor in the j^ears 1843 ^^^ 1844. 
He was elected to serve as Member of Assembly for this county, 
for the year 1864, and died in the town in which he was l^orn, 
Feb. 3, 1890, in the 87th year of his age. 

Peter J. VanVleet, born in this county, March 2, 1815, and 
still living in the adjoining town of Ovid, served as supervisor of 
Romulus, in the years 1846, 1847, 1858, 1859 and i860. While 
residing in this town, he was also elected to serve as Member of 
Assembly for this county, for the year 1862. 

In later vears, James M. Martin, son of the late Wni. Martin, 
of this town, born Oct. 20, 1^39, (now of Rochester) , represented 
this county in the Assembly for the year 1888. He also served as 
county treasurer of Seneca county by election, for a term of three 
years, 1873 — 1876. 

William Halsey Kinne, born in Romulus, April 22, 1846, a 
grand.son of one of the earl}' settlers of this town, represented 
Seneca count}' in the Assembly for the year 1892. He has served 
as chairman of the Committee on orator, poet and historian of the 
Romulus centennial, and his committee selected for all of those 
positions, at the celebration to-day, persons born in the territory 
of the original town of Romulus. 

From that portion of Romulus now in Varick, Orange W. 
Wilkinson, a native of Cayuga county, N. Y., born in 1806, was 
elected to serve in the Assembly of this State for the year 1840. 
Mr. Wilkinson served also as inspector of common schools and 
magistrate of the town, for many years. He died July 24, 1890, 
aged 84 years. 

Robert R. Steele, was ])orn in New Jersey, Dec. 12, 1805. He 
removed to this county, early in life, and engaged in mercantile 
pursuits, at Romulus village. He was elected supervisor of Varick 
in 1842, 1:^43 and 1850, and was appointed and served as county 
treasurer of this county, from 1844 to 1847. He was elected 
Member of Assembly for Seneca county for the years 1852 and 
1870, and died in April 1881, aged 75 years. (See also Appen- 
dix F). 



44 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. - 

The town of Romulus has also furnished incumbents for other 
prominent public positions, and in the active business walks of 
life, both within this county and in other counties and States. 

The office of Sheriff of Seneca county, has been held by resi- 
dents of the town, in the persons of Nathaniel N. Hayt, Hugh 
Chapman and C. H. Swarthout. 

Our presiding officer to-day, Mr. K. Seely Bartlett, has 
recently closed a term of three years, in the important and respon- 
sible position of County School Commissioner. 

The office of County Clerk, has been held by Alvah Gregory, 
of Lancaster, by appointment, from April 1S13 to Feby. 181 5, and 
has been filled by election for full terms by Dr. Mather Marvin of 
Romulus and Varick, and l)y Daniel H. Bryant and Calvin 
Willers, both of Varick. 

Among a number of the sons of Romulus, who have else- 
where arisen to prominence, either in public or business life, a few 
may be mentioned. 

Silas M. Burroughs, born July, iSio, in this town, (a son of 
David Burroughs, an earl>' resident here, and afterwards a resident 
of Orleans county, in this State), served that county as Member of 
Assembly in 1837, 1850, 1S51, and 1853, and Representative in the 
35tli Congress of the United States, 1857 to 1859, and was re- 
elected to the 36th Congress, but died June 3, i860, during the 
first year of that term. 

David Burroughs removed to the town of Shelby, then 
Gene.see, now Orleans count\', in 1818, where he died in 1822, 
aged 45 years. In 1821 he was elected to and served as a delegate 
in the State Constitutional Convention, for Genesee count)-. 

Jeptha H. Wade, was born on Military I^ot No 59, in 
Romulus, (now in Varick), August 11. iSii, a son of Jeptha 
Wade, an earl)- resident and a surveyor. After an active and 
diversified experience in business life, he became president of the 
Western Union Telegraph company, a director of several banks 
and railroad companies, and one of the foremost and most wealthy 
citizens of Cleveland, Ohio, where he also was prominently iden- 
tified with measures tending to elevate the .schools and promote 



CKNTKNNIAL OV ROMULUS. 45 



the best interests of that cit}'. He was not ambitious for public 
life, although at one time, his name was mentioned in connection 
with the nomination for (Governor of Ohio. He died a few years 
ago. 

Peter A. Dey, son of Anthony Dey, a former supervisor oi' 
Romulus, and first supervisor of Varick. was liorn at Dey's 
Corner's near Seneca lake, January 27, 1825. He graduated at 
Holiart College, Geneva, N. Y. , in 1844, ju.st fifty years ago, and 
fitted himself fi)r the profession of civil engineering, in which he 
became eminent, and having located in the State of Iowa, he was 
appointed chief engineer of the Union Pacific railroad during its 
construction. He was selected by the lyegislature of Iowa, as oiie 
of the new Capitol commissioners and afterwards elected as a Rail- 
road commissioner of that vState, which position he now .holds — 
having served his adopted State with zeal and fidelity. 

Reul)en C. Lenimon, (son of Charles I^emnion, an earl}' 
settler, who served as supervisor of Varick in the years 1834, 
1835 and 1836, and as magistrate for many 3'ears) was born on 
Military l^ot Number 52, in that portion of Romulus, now in 
Varick, in May, 182^. Mr. lyemmon was educated to the legal 
profession, and removing to Toledo, Ohio, was elected Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas for the fourth district of Ohio, a pcsir 
tion (of extensive jurisdiction and powers), which he has held for 
three full terms, of five jears each, and is now approaching the clo.se 
of his fourth term. A few j^ears ago. Judge Lemmon was elected 
and served as Grand Master of the Order of Free and Accepted 
Masons of Ohio, and enjoj's in an eminent degree the confidence 
and esteem of his fellow citizens, b>- whom he has been thus 
repeatedly honored. 

James Van Vleet, son of Jared \'an Vleet, was born in Rom- 
ulus, in 1819. Removing to Michigan in early maidiood, he was 
chosen county treasurer of Genesee count}-, and elected a Member 
of the Legislature of that vState. He is still living, a respected res- 
ident of the city of Flint, Michigan. 

John W. McMath, a grandson of Alia, and son of Col. Samu- 
el, and Mary Fleming McMath, was born in Romulus, June 3, 



46 CKNTKNNIAI, OF ROMULUS. 

1824. He removed with his parents to Michigan ill 1827, gradu- 
ated at the University of Michigan, in 1850, studied law and was 
admitted to the bar in 1852. He has served in the position of 
prosecuting attorney and United States collector of customs at 
Mackinaw, and judge of probate, and cit}^ attorney of Bay City, 
Michigan. Judge McMath is .still livdng in that city, and sends 
cordial greetings to the Romulus centennial. 

A record of the family of Col. Samuel McMath, shows that of 
his nine children, one became a lawyer. Judge John W.; and one 
a clergyman, Rev. Robert McMath ; the others, becoming re- 
spected citizens in their western homes. Four of the grand-sons 
of Col. McMath, still living, have been admitted to the bar, and 
are now engaged in successful law practice in Western states. 

Robert K. McMath, son of Alia McMath, (the latter a grand- 
son of the early settler, Alia McMath of Romulus), was born in 
Varick, April 28, 1833. He graduated at Williams College, 
Massachusetts, in 1857, and locating at St. I^ouis, Missouri, chose 
civil engineering as a profession, in which he attained a prominent 
rank — serving upon the United States Coa.st Sur\'ey and the 
Government work of improving the Mi.s.si.ssippi River. In April, 
1893, he was elected President of the Board of Public Improve- 
ments of the city of St. Louis, which position he now holds. 

Walter vS. Guriiee, born in Rockland county, N. Y., removed 
in his youth, with his widowed mother, (a .sister of Judge John 
D. Coe), to the town of Romulus. In earl}' manhood, he renio\'ed 
to Chicago, Illinois, and engaged there in active bu.siness pursuits. 
He was elected Mayor of Chicago, in March, 1851, and held that 
responsible position for a term of two years. He is still living at 
an advanced age, in the city of New York 

Many of the sons of Romulus and Varick have been educated 
to the learned professions. Had it been possible to present a list 
of all the lawyers, clergj'iiien , physicians and teachers in the 
higher educational institutions, who were l)orn in these towns 
since the first settlement, or have resided therein, including those 
deceased, it would have been indeed interesting, but data at hand 
is insufficient to make up the same. 



CEN'r):NNIAI, OK ROMULUS. 47 

The first permanently located pliNsician in the town, was un- 
(loubtedh- Dr. Ivthan Watson, at Plymouth in 1807, who after- 
wards, about 1.S20, removed to Romulus Village. Other early 
physicians were Dr. Mather Marvin, Dr. Philip Dey, and Dr. 
Tompkins C. Delevau. The first clergiinen who located in this 
town, were the earl}' pastors at the Baptist and Presbyterian 
churches. 

At the present lime, fifteen attorneys at law, are ktunvn to be 
living, who were born in Romulus or Varick, headed l)y Judge R. 
C. L,emmon, of Ohio, and the \enerable lidward B. Miller, now- 
living among us. 

In a literary and educational career, the sons of those towns 
are well represented. Headed by the names of President Wm_ 
W. Folwell, of the State University, Minneapolis, Prof. Lsaac. P. 
Roberts, of Cornell University, Ithaca, and Prof. Carlton M. 
Ritter, of vState Normal School, Chico, California, we have now 
the names of ten professors iu colleges and high schools, who 
were reared in our midst. 

Among the clerg\-, headed with the name of the vener- 
able Rev. Charles C. Carr, of Hor.seheads, (who has served 
54 years in the ministry), we have now the names of sixteen for- 
mer residents of our locality. 

The medical profes.sion, too, is well represented, by fourteen 
former residents, now living, the most aged of whom, is the emi- 
nent physician. Dr. Cornelius C. Wyckoff, of Buffalo, N. Y. 

1 will not forget, here to mention among the sons of Romulus 
who have risen to conspicuous positions — Col. James P. Sanford, 
now of Wheaton, lUinois, born Nov. 11, 1837, on the north part 
of the Barna Swarthout farm, on Lot 94, (now a part of the State 
Hospital property) in Romulus, who.se eminence as a traveler and 
as an eloquent and entertaining lecturer, is known and recognized 
in all parts of the Union, and who is here, as Orator of the day, 
upon this occasion. His volume of "Letters of Travel from dif- 
ferent Lands," was published in 1887. 

Nothing speaks better for the people of a community than to 
have the reputation of being good patrons of churches and public 



48 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



schools. The pioneers of Romulus gave earl_v attention to re- 
ligious observances and the building up of churches. It was not 
an unusual thing, for our early settlers to bring their families to 
church, in wagons or sleds drawn b}' oxen, while young people 
often came long distances on foot, carrying their only pair of vSun- 
day shoes, and putting on the same, before entering the place of 
worship. 

The official organization of the Romulus Baptist church dates 
back to 1795, and will next year have reached a full centurj' of 
organized existence. This religious Society, the oldest in Seneca 
county, had its first church edifice commenced in .1808, 
during the ministry of Rev. John Caton, a revolutionary 
patriot, who was met and recognized by General La Fa}'- 
ette, upon the occasion of his visit to this county, in June, 
1825. It has sent out a number of clergymen and men hon- 
ored ill all the walks of life. Rev. Dr. Lewis Halse}- in his 
History of the Seneca Baptist A.s.sociation, has devoted an 
interesting chapter to the hi.story of this church. 

The present official organization of the Romulus Presb} terian 
church, dates back to 1802, and its finst church was completed in 
i8og, when Rev. Chas. Mosher was its pa.stor. As early as 1795, 
a number of Presbyterians of this locality, were vi.sited l)y mis- 
sionaries and a partial organization was effected, which, however, 
was not completed. The present capacious church was dedicated 
in 1838. The records of the church, contains the names of many 
of the pioneers and leading citizens of Romulus. It has sent out 
into the ministry, a numlier of its young men, and its memljer- 
ship is represented in many vStates of the union. It has been re- 
markable for long pastorates, that of Rev. Morris Barton, of twenty 
years, and of the present incumbent. Rev. J. W. Jacks, already 
twenty-two years. 

At the village of Bearytown, on the line of Varick and Fay- 
ette, an early religious society of Penn.sjhania German people, 
many of whom were residents of Romulus, was organized in 1809, 
although served by pastors occasionally, as early as 1803. The 
first log church was completed soon after its organization, and the 



CENTENNlAIv OF ROMULUS. 



49 



services therein were then and for manj' years thereafter, held in 
the German langua^re and a German day school was taught b_\- 
Wm. Merkel and others, in connection therewith. There are still 
living, a number of persons who received German instruction at 
this School, and the early records of this Church, in the German 
language, have been carefully preserved. The present substan- 
tial stone structure of the Reformed church succeeded the log 
church, in 1824. One of the pastors of this church. Rev. Dr. 
Diedrich W'illers, a resident of Varick, served this church from 
April, 1 82 1, to January 1882, a period of over sixty years. 
(See also appendix F). 

The official organization of the Methodist Episcopal church 
at McDuffeetown, bears date Decembers, 18 16, although services 
had been held in the neighborhood, in the schoolhouse and dwell- 
ings of members, as far back as 18 10. The first church edifice was 
completed in 1832 and the present church edifice in 1883. This 
church, has also sent into the ministry, several of its members. 

There are at the present time in the territor}- of Romulus and 
Varick, in addition to the early churches named, one additional 
Methodist Episcopal church (at Bearytown), four Protestant Epis- 
copal churches, one Wesleyan Methodist, (Varick,) and one Roman 
Catholic church, all erected in the past fifty years. Sunday schools 
have been established in connection with the several churches, 
and at a number of school hou.ses. There are persons yet living, 
who remember hearing the zealous and somewhat eccentric Lor- 
enzo Dow preach, in a grove in this town, nearly seventy-five 
years ago. 

In the early history of this State but little was accomplished 
in the way of organizing a uniform common school system until 
the year 18 12. Prior to that time, schools were principally select 
or private schools, supported by specific amount per scholar, per 
quarter, or by rate bill, in proportion to the number of days attend- 
ance of each scholar. As early as 1 789, provision had been made by 
the Legislature, for setting apart one lot of boo acres of land, in 
each of the townships of the Military Tract, for the support of gos- 
pel and schools and one further lot of equal acreage in aid of liter- 
ature. Thesupervisorsof the county of Onondaga, Sept. 28, 1796, 



50 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



set apart Lot 50, Romulus, for gospel and schools and lot 55 for 
literature. Both of the.se lots are .situated on Seneca lake, ad- 
joining each other, in the present town of Varick, and some of the 
early settlements, were made on the same. The literature lot fell to 
Union College, Schenectady, and was subdivided b}- Hon. Joseph 
Annin and contracted to Frederick Ki.stler, Jacob Lowdon, and five 
others May 14, 1804, and deeded in 1809 and 181 1. The gospel 
and school lot was surveyed and subdivided into four farms in 
1817, by John D. Coe, and deeded June 16, 181 7, by Trustees of 
Gospel and School Lot— the annual income therefrom, having 
in previous years, been applied very generally, in aid of schools. 
The avails from the sale of this lot, were originally apportioned 
between Romulus and Fayette, but upon the organization of Var- 
ick the portion of the first named town was divided and $2,842,81 
of principal was allotted to Varick, the principal of the Romulus 
school fund, after such division, being $3 521.13- 

Information at hand as to early schools and teachers is meagre 
and un,satisfactor>-. In the early history of the town and prior to 
1800, very few school hou.ses had been erected in the territory 
which now has twenty school houses— and private and select 
schools were frequently kept at the house of the teacher or of one 
of the patrons of the school. 

A History of Seneca county, pubhshed by Everts, Ensign and 
P>erts, Philadelphia, Pa., 1876, is authority for the statement, 
that there was on the tenth day of June, 1799, a school house 
standing, one mile northeast of Lancaster, probably in the Sut- 
ton neighborhood. In the same year, 1799, there was a school 
house standing, east of Mahlon Bainbridge's neai the residence of 
Dr. N. W. Folwell. Other school houses erected at an early date, 
were a log school building at Romulus Village in 1806; and one 
on Lot seventy-eight near John Marsh's. In 1810 there was 
a school house near Henry Miller's, North East of Hayt's Corners 
one at Beach town, settlement near Dey's Landing; and one at 
McDuffeetown. Others of early date, were the school houses in the 
McLaferty District, near the center of the present town of Romulus; 
also one at Lancaster; one near Anthony Dey's Tannery; and one a 
half mile east of Judge Benj. Lemmon's; with one near John 



CENTENNIAt OF ROMULUS. 5t 



Gambee'sMill Pond, one and a half miles South East of Bearytown; 
and one near Clarktown. 

Spafford's Gazetteer, mentions ten school houses in Romulus 
in 1812. In February, 1S20, John D. Coe, Anthony Dey, and 
John Fleming, commissioners, filed with the Town Clerk, descrip- 
tions of seventeen school districts, and there were parts of several 
other joint school districts, the school houses of which were located 
in other towns. A part of Romulus was annexed to the Ovid 
Union School District in 1874, and there are now twenty school 
houses in the towns of Romulus and Varick. 

Prior to the year 1800, a select school was kept in the weaving 
shop of Haynes Bartlett, taught by John Bainbridge. Karly 
schools were also taught at James McKnight's and John Sayre's 
residences. Dr. Ethan Watson and his wife, who settled at Apple- 
town in 1807, both taught school soon after their settlement. 
There were doubtless other early schools and school houses at 
which teachers were employed, of which no reliable information 
can now be secured. Early teachers, other than those already 
named, were Robert Selfredge, Ebenezer Brewster, Elijah Miller, 
Sylvester Tillotson, Ira Parker, CHnton Shattuck and R. Webster. 
Later on, Wareham Barnes, Eevi Hart, Samuel Jones, John A. 
Christopher, Joseph Burroughs, Aaron P. Roberts. Norman Eddy, 
Jonathan Ogden, Lewis Woodruff, Jacob P. Chamberlain, Aaron 
B. Bartlett and William Mann were well known teachers, and 
forty to sixty years ago, members of the Baldridge and Fleming 
families, James Facer, Leander Covert, John B. Robinson, Palmer 
McDuffee, William Bainbridge, Augustus C.Miller, Amos P. Mil- 
ler, John R. Stone, Wm. H. Sutton, Henry C. Lisk, Darwin C. 
Smalley, Dr. Richard Dey, Loring G. King, Ralph P. Roberts 
and John Monroe, were engaged in teaching, some of whom are 
still living. At an early date, female teachers were but little 
employed, except to teach summer terms of schools. Among 
those who taught may be mentioned, Mrs. Ethan Watson, Miss 
Czarina Young, Mary Sutton, Hannah Pratt, Catharine Folwell, 
Emeline Betts, Clarissa A. Gambee, Catharine Gambee, Marj' 
J. McKnight, and Mary J. Barnes. 

In passing, a tribute must also be bestowed, upon a faithful and 



52 CENTENNIAL OK ROMULUS. 

thorouglil)' competent teacher, in the person of the late William 
Ross, who died April 6, 1893, in Fayette, aged ninety years, 
who had devoted about sixty-five 3'ears of his life to teaching, 
chiefl}' in the public schools of this county, including a number 
of terms in Romulus, a record which can probably not be excelled 
in any other part of the State. 

Many of our public men, have in youth and early manhood 
taught in public schools, as an assistance in obtaining a profes- 
sional and business education, a few of whom may be mentioned. 

Klijah Miller, (son of Captain Josiah Miller, a patriot officer 
of the revolutionar}^ war), was born at Bedford, Westchester 
county, N. Y., April 1 1, 1772. In the spring of 1796, he came to 
the town of Romulus and located upon Military Lot number nine- 
ty-one, (near Hayt's Corners). While residing there, he engaged 
in teaching school for a time and began reading law under Daniel 
vShepard of Aurora, on the opposite shore of Cayuga Lake. In 
March, 1799, he was commissioned a Justice of the Peace for the 
Town of Romulus, then in Cayuga county. In January 1800, 
having been admitted to the Bar, he married and located on the 
Kast side of Cayuga Lake, at Cayuga Village, then one of the 
county seats of Cayuga Count}-, where he engaged in the practice 
of his profession, removing to Auburn in 1808. In 1813 he was 
appointed Clerk of Cayuga County, for a term of two years, and 
in 1 8 1 7, received the appointment of County Judge of that County, 
which position he held for six years. In 1823, William H. Sew- 
ard, (afterwards Governor and United States Senator) then 
just commencing his legal career, united with Judge Miller in a 
law partnership, and a year later married his daughter. This law 
firm at once took a leading position and was employed in many of 
the most important cases tried in Central New York. Judge 
Miller died at Auburn in November, 1851, in the eightieth 3'ear 
of his age. Captain Josiah Miller, father of Judge Elijah Miller, 
removed early in this century, with his family, to the Lot located 
by his .son in the town of Romulus, where he died in 18 17, aged 
68 years. One of his sons, Ezra Miller, served as a magistrate of 
Romulus for many years. 

Jacob P. Chamberlain, bom in Worcester County, Massachu- 



CENTENNIAL OF KOIVIULUS. 53 



setts, August ist, 1802, became an early resident of this town, and 
engaged for a time in teaching in our puljlic schools. He was 
elected the first Town Clerk of Varick, upon the organization of 
that town in 1830, and was re-elected in the two succeeding years. 
He also served as School Inspector of that town. He afterwards 
removed to Seneca Falls, and engaged in farming, milling and 
manufacturing business. He was elected to serve this County in 
the State Legislature for the year 1859, and was chosen to the 
thirty -seventh Congress of the United States 1861-63, for the 
26th District. He died at Seneca Falls, Oct. 5, 1878. Frank 
Chamberlain, a son of Hon. Jacob P., born in Romulus, Dec. 4, 
1826, and now residing at Albany, N. Y., was in i860 elected 
Grand Commander of the vState Commandery of Knights Templar 
of the Masonic order, and was appointed April 27, 1865, by the 
Governor with the consent of the Senate, Commissary General 
of this State. Eugene T. Chamberlain, of Albany, son of General 
Frank, now holds the office of Commissioner of Navigation" in the 
Treasury' Department at Washington, D. C. 

Mention may be made also in this connection, of Norman Eddy, 
a native of Cayuga County, N. Y., w^ho taught for a time in the 
public schools of Romulus and Varick, about 65 years ago, and 
who afterwards graduated as a physician, practised medicine for a 
time, then read law, was admitted to the Bar, and became eminent 
as a lawyer. Removing to Indiana, he w-as elected to the State 
Senate, then to the 33d Congress of the United States, and in later 
years. Secretary of State of that State, which position he held at 
the time of his death, January 28, 1S72. 

It is not my purpose to comment at length upon the primitive 
log school houses, with their slab seats without backs, nor to 
speak of teachers of the olden time, when the system of ' 'boarding 
around" of teachers prevailed and every patron was expected to 
contribute a supply of wood proportional to the number of scholars 
sent. (See Appendix D.) 

The records of one of the old school districts, recently ex- 
amined, shows that at the annual school meetings seventy years 
ago, the inhabitants were accustomed at each meeting, to adopt 



54 CENTENNIAI. OV ROMUL,US. 



a resolution, exempting poor persons having children to send to 
school, from the paj'ment of a rate bill for teachers wages, and 
the same commendable spirit was doubtless very generally shown 
throughout the town. 

While much has been accomplished in the improvement and 
elevation of pubhc schools, we should not forget the day of small 
things, nor fail to do justice to the time, when the three Rs (Read- 
ing, 'Riting and 'Rithmetic) were the leading branches of study, 
in our schools. Many of our best business men, enjoyed no other 
opportunities of education than those which these early schools 
provided. The old-time text books used in this locahty, were 
Webster's and Cobb's Spelling books; the Old and New EngHsh 
Readers, the American Preceptor and Hale's History of the United 
States, used as a reading book; Emerson's, Ostrander'sor DaboU's 
Arithmetics, while writing was taught by the teacher, in copy 
books made of foolscap paper. The use of Murray's orKirkham's 
Grammars, and Morse's, Goodrich's and Olney's Geographies, 
were higher accessories of a school course, not always 'reached by 
the pupils in our schools. Scholars when old enough to work, 
seldom had time to attend school in summer, leaving only a few 
months of winter schooling, which the older boys were not always 
privileged to enjoy. It is a matter of deep regret, that residents 
in the several school districts, have allowed district libraries 
to fall behind, and a revival of interest, is now in progress, in 
reference to the same. 

There is no large village in our territory, the town being a 
distinctively agricultural town, and no Institution for academic 
education exists therein. Many sons and daughters of Romulus, 
have, however, received a liberal education at the Ovid Academy, 
now a High School, with which a portion of this town has official 
relations. 

One of the most pleasing features of our centennial obser- 
vance this day, is the large representation of scholars from the 
public schools, forming a leading part in the procession. The 
occasion and the exercises of the day, may, and doubtless will, be 
long remembered by them. 



CENTKNNIAL OF ROMULUS. 55 



It is a pleasure to allude here to the organization of one of the 
earliest public library societies in this count\', as the records of the 
count)' clerk show, to wit : 

"At a meeting held on the 12th instant, March, 1H05, at the 
house of Asa Smith, innkeeper in Romulus, for the purpose of 
forming themselves into a corporation for establishing a public 
library, proceeded to order, when Mq,hlon Bainbridge was chosen 
chairman. By ballot then proceeded to elect five trustees to gov- 
ern library, when the following persons were elected, viz : An- 
drew Dunnett, Charles Gordon. Asa vSmith, Mahlon Bainbridge, 
and Samuel Howe. 

Resolved, further, that the name or title of this corporation 
shall be known as Seneca Library Number One. It was further 
unanimously agreed and voted, that the same library be kept in 
the village of L,ancaster, in the town of Romulus." 

The martial spirit of the revolutionary sires who settled in our 
midst and their descendants, was kept alive through local militia 
organizations, (the io2d and 128th militia regiments,) and the 
town of Romulus was largely represented in the military ranks in 
the war of 1812. Col. Daniel Sayre, Col. vSamuel McMath, Col. 
Samuel Blain and Col. Matthew D. Coe in .earlier years, with Col. 
and Gen. Thomas J. Folwell and Col. and Gen. Augustus 
Decatur Ayres, in later years, commanded the militia of this and 
other towns. Company and regimental ' ' trainings ' ' of the militia 
were annually held, at McKnight's, Asa Smith's, David Depue's, 
Romulus village, Lerch's, Lenimon's or Bearytown, with oc- 
casionally a ' ' general training ' " which were events anxiously 
looked forward to. At the present time, there are no military or- 
ganizations in town, although strongly represented in the ranks of 
the array, in the late civil war, 1861-65. 

The records of the town show activity in the early years of its 
existence, in the laying out of pubhc roads. Already in June 
1795, a public road four rods wide, was laid out from the north 
bounds of Ovid, from Lancaster, along and near the Seneca lake 
shore to the Seneca outlet and to the east bounds of Ontario count}-. 
The description of this road as recorded, makes reference to an old 



56 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS 



road previoush- laid out b}' the Highway commissioners of the 
town of Peru, from James McKnight's north to the Ontario count}- 
line. The town of Peru was formed April lo, 1792, from the 
town of Whitestown, which latter town, at that time, covered all 
of Central New York, from iti East line near Utica, extending 
westward to Seneca lake. It is to be regretted, that the records of 
the town of Peru, can not upon diligent inquiry be found, the 
town having been abolished, when Onondaga county was erected 
in March, 1794. 

Other public roads early laid out were from Appletown to 
David Depue's, also from Lancaster to Boardmansburg, and a road 
from David Depew's to the Hood Settlement on Lot Number 48, 
at Fayette line. The road on the South line of the Cayuga Reser- 
vation, was laid out in the year 1805. The well known highway 
called the "Reservation road," the West line of the Cayuga Indian 
Reservation, leading across Varick to Seneca Falls, was recorded 
Dec. 17, 1806, and was surveyed by Jeptha Wade. 

The Legislature of 1793, chapter 37, appointed John L. Har- 
denbergh, Mo.ses DeWitt and John Patterson, commissioners for 
laying out certain public roads in the Military tract, one of which 
was to commence on the West side of Cayuga Lake, opposite a 
point mentioned (between Lots Numbers 56 and 67, Scipio), 
nearly three miles South of Aurora, and to run by as direct a 
route as the nature of the ground will admit of, to Seneca Lake, 
at or near the division Hne between Romulus and Ovid, (at Lan- 
caster). The Legislature made a small appropriation to pay the 
expense of making such public road, but whether it was ever laid 
out, cannot be ascertained, and certainly no such road was ever 
maintained, as a State road. 

In the laying out of town roads, and the surveying and divis- 
ion of farms, there was much occasion to employ the service of a 
competent surveyor, as is usually the case in a newly settled 
country. Among the well known early surveyors of Romulus, 
may be mentioned, Benjamin Dey, William Seely, Jeptha Wade, 
David Harris, John D. Coe, and Orange Wilkinson, and in later 
years. Gen. A. D. Ay res. 



CKNTICNNIAI. OF KOMri.rS 57 



Alrea(l\- betoiv llie conniKJiicenieiit of the present cenUir\ , in 
1798, Captain Abel Frisl)ie, estal)lislied regular coninuiiiication 
with Aurora, and the east side of Cayuga Lake, for transi)()rting 
by row boat or other priniitixe craft, passengers and mails, which 
ferry was continued lor some time by others, from points called 
Hayes' Harbor and vSmith'sor vSinclair's landings. Levanna, and 
for a time Aurora, were county seats of Onojidaga or Cayuga 
Cotmty, and residents of Romulus were sometimes called ui^on to 
\isit these localities, upon public business. 

Later on, in i8j8, a ferry for passengers, teams, and freight 
was established for a time, between Levanna and Clark town on 
the we.st shore. 

The steamer Juiterprise l)egan to make trips upon Cayuga 
Lake from Ithaca to Bridgeport, at the foot of the lake, as early as. 
1S20, but seldom landed on the west side of the lake, in this town. 

A ferr>- was chartered to run from Lancaster across Seneca 
Lake to Dresden, in 1825. The steamer vSeneca Chief, Capt. E. 
Miner, began its regular trips upon Seneca Lake, July 4, 1828, 
landing at Lancaster, and later on at Dey's Landing also. Steamers 
upon both the lakes, carried passengers, freights and mails. 

Landings or warehouses established on Seneca Lake, were 
tlio.se at Lancaster, Freleighs, (Plymouth), Cooley's, (now C. C. 
Pontius') and Dey's Landing, and a Landing known as Glen 
Gowan, was established on the farm of Atulrew S. Long, about 
ten years ago. 

Upon Cayuga Lake, landings or warehouses, were at differ- 
ent times e.stabhshed, one in the South East Corner of town, 
kn(3wn as Porter's Landing, also at Whitney's, later Jacacks' 
Landing, one at Andrew Smith's, later Sinclair's, and tlio.se at 
iCast \'arick and Clarktown. 

At the warehouses mentioned, grain was purchased in large 
(juantities, loaded upon boats and shipped to Eastern cities, after 
the opening of the State Canals 

The Ithaca and Geneva Turnpike company was incorporated 
in 18 10, and there was a mail service, commencing about that 
time, by stage from Geneva to Judge Sayre's, and Lancaster or 



58 CENTKNNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



Ovid, and thence southward. The existence of this Turnpike 
Company was brief, and before the full completion of the Turn- 
pike, its charter was repealed by the Legislature in 1.S23. 

After the abolition of the post office at Lancaster and the re- 
moval of Romulus post office to the village of the same name, a 
daily inland mail service by stage, was established from Geneva 
to Ithaca, passing through Romulus Village, which route was 
abolished upon the opening of the Gene\'a, Ithaca and vSa3-re rail- 
road, in the fall of 1873. 

With the opening of public roads and lines of travel, taverns 
or public inns to accommodate travel b}' land, were established in 
abundance. 

Among the early hostelries of Romulus, may be mentioned 
those of James McKnight,Jolin Sayre and David Depue,at each of 
which, town meetings were held, and those of Asa Smith, at Ap- 
pletown, Capt. Abel Frisbie, at Cayuga lake opposite Aurora, 
Samuel Smith at Lancaster, H. M. Schooley at Hayts Corners, 
and George Alexander at Romulus Village. Other well known 
hotels were those of Samuel McMath, . Haynes Bartlett, David 
Brooks, and Stephen Reeder, along Seneca Lake, and in the north 
half or Varick part of the town, those of Benjamin Lemmon, and 
John Y. Manning, of He/.ekiaii Knowles, (Dey's Landing), John 
Boice, Skillman Doughty, and David Kd wards, at and near Rom- 
ulus Village, Joseph Haynes, and Geo. Crobaugh, at Bearytown, 
Samuel Lercli, on Mihtary Lot, Number 54, of James Reifsnider, 
at Clarktown, and Thomas Caton, the last named known as the 
"Log Tavern" on Military Lot Number 47. 

It was ncjt until Sept. 1873, that the first railway acro.ss the 
town, the line of the Geneva, Ithaca and Sayre railroad, was 
opened to the public, and a branch railroad from Hayt's Corners 
to Willard, was opened in May, 1883. Anew through line of 
the Lehigh Valley Railway Co. from Buffalo to New York City, was 
opened across the town in vSeptember 1S92, and all of the above 
named railroads, are now operated b}^ .said last named compau}'. 

Telegraph lines were also opened and operated in connection 



CKNTKNNIAI< Ol" ROMULUS. 59 



with all of said liuesof railroad, and express offices were established 
at the several railway stations. 

It has already l)een shown that the people of Romulus were 
jealously watchful of (juestions affecting taxation. 

The Board of vSu])ervisors of Onondaga county, in 1795 
alread\', (^f which l)oard, Benajah Boardnian was then a member, 
recommended and adopted a new system of taxation for the towns 
of said count}', as follows : 

" jr/iereas, the Supervisors of Onondaga County, have found many in- 
conveniences by the various modes taken in the different towns in assessing 
the ratable ])roperty in the county, have thought it a (Uity to recommend to 
the assessors of each respective town, next to be chosen, in said towns, a 
mode of taking the valuation of property which appears to us the most eli- 
gible in our local situation, desiring this to be publicly read at the next 
annual town meeting, which uniform mode will render the next Board^of 
Supervisors, our successors in otlice, more capable of doing justice, in levy- 
ing taxes in our infant State, viz : Estimate as follows : 

Improved lands of a medium tiuality, 20 shillings ])er acre. 

Working oxen of a medium quality, 16 pounds per yoke. 

Cows of a medium iiuality, 5 pounds per piece. 

\'oung cattle of three years old anil under, 20 shillings per year. 

Horses of a medium ([uality, 10 pound ])er piece. 

Colts, three years old and under, 40 shillings per year. 

Hogs that will weigh 100 weight. 20 shillings per piece. 

Negro men, 50 pounds per head. 

Negro wenclies, 30 pounds per head. 

Grist mills, 50 pounds per piece. 

Saw mills, 30 pounds per piece. 

And those articles of an inferior or superior t[uality, in proportion, anil 
other ratable property m like ]n'oportion. 

The board further recommends to the consideration of the different 
towns, the following mode in taking the assessment, viz : That each jierson 
holding ratable property shall give in to the aesessor a list of his or her 
ratable property or estate, in writing, agreeable to the request of the 
assessor, which will be an a voucher for the assessor, and prevent any asper- 
sions of injustice of being taxed unequally, by those having that part of 
duty to do, in society. 

The board also recommends to assessors, that they completely make 
out their list of assessment by the first of May as the law tlirects, so that 
the Sujiervisors may be enabled to proceed on their business at their Hrst 
meeting and save the cfiunty costs." 

Reference to the assessment and taxation of slaves, recalls the 
fact, that \Vm. Seely of the town of Romulus on Nov. 17, 1794, 
manumitted a slave of the name of Charles Patterson. The General 
act of the lyCgislature abolishing Negro Slavery in this vState, passed 
in 1817, took effect July 4, 1827. 

As late as May 1 8 1 1 , a public notice was filed with the Town 



6o CKNTKNNIAL Ol* ROIMITI.US 



Clerk, by Peter Huff, of the birth of two negro slaves belonging 
to him. 

It is interesting to trace the history of the early villages of the 
Town, some of which are now extinct. 

"Time rolls his ceaseless course. The race of yore 
Who danced our infancy upon their knee. 

And told our marvelling boyhood legends store 
Of their strange ventures happ'd on land and sea, 
How are they blotted from the things that lie !" 

Reference has been alread}- made to the \-illage of Lancaster, 
(at or near which the earliest settlements in town were made) af- 
terwards for a time called Baileytown, then Ovid Landing, and 
now Willard. Records in the County Clerk's Office, refer to a plot 
and map of Lancaster, divided into lots, already in ijqS, by 
Ocorge and vSamuel Bailey. 

As early as January i, 1S04, Lancaster Post Office was estab- 
lished, with Charles Gordon as Postmaster. 

In 1S04-5, Lancaster was an unsuccessful applicant for the lo 
cation of the County buildings, and was then the most promising 
village of the County, It is known that the first stores and some 
of the first places of business in the town of Romulus, were openetl 
at Lancaster, several years prior to any established at Romulu 
village or at Hayts Corners. vSpafford's Gazetteer of New York, 
published in 1813, describes Lancaster as having about twenty 
houses, while Ovid, is described as a village in anticipation. For 
a time, a ferry was in operation from Lancaster to Dresden, on the 
west side of the lake. 

The Post Office at Lancaster was al)olishcd in November icSi4, 
and the village fell into decline 

With the opening, in 1S69, of Willard .State Hospital for the 
Insane, at the locality formerly known as Lancaster, the village 
at that point, (now known as Willard), revived, and a Post Office 
of that name, was established there, March 29, 1S71, with George 
.Swarthout, a descendant of one of the earliest settlers, as Post- 
master. 

The Administration Building and a considerable part of the 



CKNTl'.NNMAI. OI" KOMri,US. 6l 



Other buildings, lands and pr()]xn-ty of the State Hospital are situ- 
ated at Willard, in tlie town of Romulus, and a brief referenee 
should be made to this worthy eharity, the largest institution for 
the eare of tlie insane, in this vState, and one of the largest in the 
United vStates. It has ample eajtacit}- for the treatment of 2,100 
patients, although the average number of patients under treatment 
during the past year reached 2,140. The management of this 
model institution, is in charge of an eflicient Hoard ol' Trustees, 
Hon. vSterling^ (i. Hadley, President, with a Medical vSuperintend 
ent, Dr. T. IT Kellogg, and a corps of assistants and officers. . 

Another village, the oldest one known in the histor>- of the 
town, the Indian village of Kendaia, (called also Appletown) of 
which mention has been made, ceased to have an existence, since 
its destruction l)y General Sullivan's army. Rlkanah Watson a 
native of Phniouth, Mass., of whom mention has been made as a 
visitor in Sept. 1791, was the owner of lands at Appletown, ex- 
tending to vSeneca Lake, and in the latter years of the last century, 
a village was plotted and located upon the shore of vSeneca I^ake, 
one-half mile west of Appletown, and named Pljmouth. Upon 
the map of this village, 155 village lots were dehneated, with 
streets running East from the lake, crossed by others running 
North and South, to which names were given on the map. Of 
the village of Ph'mouth, too, not a vestige remains. 

The Indian village of vSwah-ya-wa-nah, on Cayuga lyake, 
nearlv opposite Aurora, was totally destroyed by Col. Pleury 
Dearl)orn"s detachment from Cieneral vSullivan's army, as already 
mentioned. 

A hamlet on Military Uots 71 and 78, on Cayuga Lake, with 
store, mills, distiller}-, tavern, (Capt. P'risbie's), and boat lauding, 
has entirely disappeared. 

Another village mapped and laid out, in the first 
quarter of this century, on Cayuga L,ake, locally known as Clark- 
town, (opposite to Levanna, with which it had ferry communica- 
tion) with its warehouse, store, ta\'ern, ]iottery, etc., is now en- 
tirely extinct. 

As early as 1819, theie was a store kept, ard ?eveial years 



62 CENTENNIAL OF ROMUI^US. 



previousl}- a public inn, at the place locall}- known as Lenimon's 
Corners on Military IvOt 52. North Romulus Post Office estab- 
lished at this point, with Judge Benjamin lyemmon as Postmaster, 
was afterwards removed to West Fayette. The first town meet- 
ing held in the town of Varick, April 6, 1S30, was held at the 
public house of Benjamin Lemmon at that place, which inn was 
su])sequently for a time also kept by Col. Jolm Y. Manning, (and 
.sometimes called Manning's Hill). This little hamlet has also 
ceased to exist. 

As indicating changes in population, it may be mentioned, 
that the little hamlet of McDuffeetown, on Reservation I^ot 77, 
dating back about eighty-five years, the inhaVntants in and 
near which, were once nearly all persons of the name McUuffee, 
now contains only one family of that name, and no person of the 
name Dey, now lives at Dey's Landing, a hamlet on vSeneca Lake 
at the southwest corner of \''arick , 

Other villages of tlie town of Romulus, which now have exis- 
tence, although none of them incorporated, are Romulus village, 
(parti}' in Varick), Hayt's Corners, and Kendaia in Romulus, and 
East Varick and a part of Bearytown, in the town of Varick. It 
is with difficult}', that precise information can now be collected 
relating to the same. 

Romulus village, dates ])ack to the early years of this century, 
and in 1806 a log school house had been erected near the present 
village. The P-rcsbyterian church, organized in 1802, and its 
church edifice, a little west of the village, completed in i8og, was 
followed I)}' a store, a.shery and other places of business, and .soon 
after by a public inn. A bank, known as the Farmers Bank of 
vSeneca Count}', was organized May 15, 1839, and opened for 
1)usiness with the State, July 6, of the same year, — the exi.stence 
of which terminated, by action of the courts, in less than two 
}'ears. The village early became and continued to be, the center 
of business for the town, up to the division in 1830. The open- 
ing of the Cieneva, Ithaca tS: vSa}re Railroad, with a railway sta- 
tion, gave a new impetus to the village, which has gradually in- 
creased in population and importance. Romulus post office, 



CENTKNNIAL OF KOMUI.Uv'i. 63 



established in iSoj, on llie vSeneca Lake road, was removed to 
this village and Win. McCarl\- a])p{)inted as ])()slniaster, Nov. 23, 
1S23. 

Hayt's Corners, lakes its name troni the Ila^t family, who 
were early settlers there in iSo6. The first store was opened in 
1816 and the first tavern in 1820, and tradesmen <jf the \arions 
erafts and pursuits in business, followed. The growth of the 
village has been slow but since the opening of the Oeneva, Ithaca 
and Sayre railroad, and the branch line to Ovid and Willard cen- 
tering there, it has increased in business and population. Its 
postoffice was not established until after the establishment of the 
railway .station and bears date Dec. S, 1873, with George Markel, 
as its first po.stmaster. 

It was a thoughtful and commendable act on the part of the 
people of the localit}', who named the little village of Kendaia, in 
honor of the extinct Indian village, once situated two miles south- 
ward. Kendaia is of comparatively modern growth, the establish- 
ment of its postoffice dating back to April 17, 1862, under the 
person (Amos Crane) now again holding the office of postmaster. 
There were, however, places of business there at an earlier date, 
in fact the first grist mill in the town had been erected by Francis 
Albright near there, in 1796, and was completed .soon afterwards. 
Since the opening of the new direct line of the Lehigh Valle}' rail- 
road, about two years ago, with a railway station there, it has 
enjoyed some increa.se in business and population. It is now the 
only railroad station on this line of railway, in the town. 

Of Bearytown, where the first building in Varick, was erected 
as a public inn by Joseph Haynes, earl}- in this century, it can also 
be .said, that the first church edifice (German) was erected there up- 
on the organization of the church in 1 809, and itscemeterj' was then 
also opened. In connection with the church, a German school 
was early established. A tavern was erected loy Henry Bear\', from 
whom the village is named, in 1S19, and the first store kept there- 
in by Charles L,. Hoskins (still living at Seneca Falls at the ad- 
vanced age of 95 years) in 1821. It is a quiet, pleasant little vil- 
lage, the greater part of which is located in Fayette and lacks 
railroad communication to give an impetus to its bu.siness interests. 



64 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



Fayette post office, located there, was established Aug. 25, 1826. 

East \'arick on Cayuga lake, a mile east of McDuffeetown, 
dates back its starting point, about forty-five years. At one time 
it was a 1)ustling little village, ha\ ing a stort;, warehouse, hotel 
and other places of business, and had considerable lake traffic, 
but the opening of railways, and the loss of steamboat connections, 
has injured its business prosperity of late years. Its jwst-office 
was estabhshed July 5, 1850, with Benjamin Barrick as its first 
Post Master. 

The earliest settlers, found it necessar}- in the aljsence of any 
grist mills, for grinding flour, to resort to the stump mortar and 
hominy block for pounding the same. The grist mill early erected 
on the west side of vSeneca lake, near Dresden, Benajah IJoardman's 
mill, west of Ovid village, with Major Bear's mill at vSkoiyase, 
and Judge Halsey's mill at Lodi, were but little in advance in 
time of erection, of the mill constructed !)}• Francis Albright near 
Kendaia,in 1796, and afterwards run by Michael Baldridge. Other 
early grist mills were those of Benjamin Dey's; Capt. Andrew 
vSmith's, (afterwards John vSinclair's) ; Benjamin Sutton's: Wm. 
Chamberlain's, and one, two miles east of Romulus village, run 
by vSilas Allen and others, and there were several others which 
had a brief existence. 

Earl}- stores as already mentioned^ were kept at the \'illages 
of Lancaster, Romulus, Hayt's Corners, and other villages and 
hamlets nan;ed herein. There were also stores kept in the early 
days of the town, by John Sayre and John Bainbridge, b\- Zebedee 
Williams, by Stephen R. Miller, by David Flarris, at Schuyler's 
Point, (north of Clarktown), one atCooley's Landing, anil another 
at the Ashery Corners, one mile east of Romulus village, 

Early auctioneers of real and personal propert}- were John 
Williams, Thomas Mann and Haynes Bartlett, and later on 
vSamuel Lerch and Buun Brokaw. 

Were the information at hand, and time permitted, it might 
be of interest, to give a complete Hot of all the sawmills, tanneries, 
and asheries, throughout the town, as v.-ell as to gixe the names 
of early shoemakers tailors, carpenters, blacksmiths, coopers, 



CKNTKNNIAL OK ROMTLrS. 65 



saddlers, &c, but any attempt to do so, from vague and indefinite 
data, at hand, is impracticable. Many of the earlier settlers had 
l:)een instructed in mechanical trades in youth, and although here 
devoted to farming, the>- found abundant opportunit}' also to 
practice their handicrafts, as numerous blacksmith shops &c, in all 
parts of the town attested. 

It is well in passing, to note the changes, as well as the ad- 
vance and progress made in town, not only in population but also 
in material wealth and prosperity. Under the first Constitution 
of this State, adopted in 1777, and in force until 1822, the right of 
suffrage was restricted under property qualifications, to three classes 
of voters. 

The first class, which had the right to vote for Governor, 
Lieutenant Governor, State Senator, and all other elective officers, 
was required to pos.sess a freehold of the value of one hundred 
pounds ($250) over and above all debts charged therein. 

The second class, embraced those who were possessed of a 
freehold within the county of the value of twenty pounds ($50) 
and the third class, those not possessed of a freehold, but who 
rented tenements of the 3'early value of fort}' shillings ($5). 

Voters of the second and third classes were authorized to vote 
for Members of Assembly and town officers. 

Count}' officers were first appointed b>' the Governor and 
Council of Appointment of the State, and in a few cases by Boards 
of Supervisors, and did not become elective by vote of the people 
until 1822. Justices of the Peace were not elected b}' the people 
until 1827, in which year, Mather Marvin, Samuel Blain, Stephen 
R. Miller and James Pvirdy, were cho.sen as the first elected Board 
of Justices of Romulus. 

Early Justices of the Peace, appointed for the town of Romu- 
lus, March 14, 1799, while .still a part of Cayuga County, were 
William Brewster, Benjamin Dey, Wilhelmus Mynderse, and 
Elijah Miller, and on Jan'y. 22, 1802, Isaac Johnson, John Sayre, 
John Hood and David Wisner were appointed. 

Upon the erection of vSeneca County in 1804, the names of 
John Sayre, Asa Smith and John Hood were included in the first 
li.st of Judges, and Justices commissioned for the new county. 



66 CKNTKNNIAL OF ROMULUS 



Among other Magistrates (Justices of the Peace), of Romu- 
his, appointed prior to 1810, were David Burroughs, Silas Allen 
and Alvah Gregory. 

Commissioners to take the proof and acknowledgment of 
Deeds were appointed for the several towns under an act of 18 18, 
by the Board of Supervisors and Court of Common Pleas. John 
D. Coe, Stephen R. Miller and Nathaniel N. Hayt, are known to 
have served among other Commissioners of Deeds for Romulus. 
In 1840, Justices of the Peace were empowered to take the ac- 
knowledgment of deeds, and the office of Commissioner of Deeds 
in towns was abolished. 

State elections prior to 1822, were held on the last Tuesday of 
April. After that date, as now, in November, but up to 1842, 
were held for three successive days, at as many different places in 
each town, under the same Board of Election officers. Town 
meetings were for a long time held in this count}^ on the first 
Tuesdaj' of April in each year, afterwards changed in 1849 for 
a time, to the second Tuesda}- of March, and of late years, since 
1878, are held on the second Tuesday of February. 

Enumerations of voters in this State, were ordered under acts 
of 1790 and 1795 (the latter, one year after the organization of this 
town) but no returns of these enumerations for this locality, have 
been found at the State I^ibrary at Albany, upon inquiry. 

The enumeration of voters of this State, taken under an act 
of 1 801, and made for this town, by John Sayre, bears date Octo- 
ber 20, 1 80 1. It includes one hundred and eighty names of 
voters of the first class, in the territory of Romulus and Varick, 
ninety-four of the second class and seventy-two of the third 
class. (See Census of Voters in Appendix E.) 

Another enumeration of voters was made in 1807, by John 
Hood, David Burroughs and Robert Fleming, when three hundred 
and twent}- voters were found, one hundred eighty-seven of the 
first class, seventeen of the second and one hundred and sixteen of 
the third class, showing that the number of voters had nearl>- 
doubled in the previous six 3'ears. 

By the census of 18 10, the number of families in the town as 



CKNTKNNIAL OV KOMULUS. 67 



then constituted, is given as four hundred and thirty-one, and of 
voters of the first class, one hundred and seventy-nine. 

The United States census of 1800, the first taken after the 
organization of this town, gave its population as 1,025. 

In 18 10, the population which had nearly tripled during the 
decade, was 2,766. In 1820, it was 3,129. 

By the State census of 1825, it was 4,127. 

In 1830, after the erection of the town of \'arick from Romu- 
lus, the population of each, was as follows : 

Romulus, 2,o8g, and Varick, 1,890. 

While there has since been some fluctuation in the population, 
there has been no material increase since 1830, except at Willard 
village, in Romulus, and by the last census of 1892, the population 
of this town, is given as 2,181. 

The population of Varick has fallen off of late years, and by 
the last census, was only 1,379, showing the movement of popu- 
lation from rural towais to cities and villages. 

By the census of 1 8 10, some very interesting industrial sta- 
tistics were collected, which are .set out in Spafford's Gazetteer of 
the State of New York. 

This authority assigns to the town of Romulus that year^ one 
hundred and two mechanics, employed at eleven different trades. 
There were one hundred and thirteen weaving looms in families, 
producing in 1810 — 30,342 yards of cloth, and as truthfully re- 
marked by the author — the household spinning wheel and loom, 
and the farm, (by flax culture and sheep raising) supply a large 
part of the clothing of the inhabitants. 

In those days of household frugalit}', there was little occupa- 
tion for milliners, and dressmakers. Tailors and shoemakers 
(when indeed such were employed) went about from house to 
liouse, and were occasionall}' employed in the family, the farmer 
furnishing the cloth of his own manufacture for the clothing, and 
leather made in tanneries within the town, for boots or shoes. At 
that time, jewelers, confectioners and like tradesmen, were but 
little patronized. In 18 10, there were located in Romulus, three 
tanneries, five potash works, three grist mills, and .seven saw- 



68 CKNTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 

mills — at the present time not a single aslier_\- or tannery — and no 
grist mill, (since the unfortunate destruction of one recentl}- b}- 
fire) with but one saw mill. 

By the same census, there were six distilleries of grain and 
fruit spirits, which in that year, made 12,730 gallons, valued at 
$7 1 956 or an average value of seventy-two cents per gallon. Now 
there is not a distillery of an}' kind in the town. The manufac- 
ture of maple sugar as an article of household use, an important 
industry in the early days, has been almost entirely discontinued, 
by the destruction of the forest, and the consequent scarcity of 
sugar maple trees. 

The first thirty-five years of the official existence of Romulns 
were years of intense activity. The forests were largely cleared, 
orchards planted, churches and school houses reared, log houses 
gave place to comfortable frame or brick structures, and the people 
of the town advanced steadily, in material wealth and comfortable 
surroundings. The aggregate valuation of the town, in real and 
personal estate, had increased from $137,173 in 1804, when the 
first Board of Supervisors of vSeneca County met, to $655,209 in 
1829. 

In 1830 the L,egi.slature of the State again divided the town, 
and created a new town, embracing nearly one.half of the area of 
Romulus — and named the same in honor of the Revolutionary 
patriot and .statesman. Col. Richard Varick, of whom, the people 
of the town receiving his name, ma}' well .say : 

"We love the heroes of our land, 

Whose name shall live in stor}-. 
The wise of heart, the strong of hand, 

Who.se life and death is glor)^" 

The act dividing the town, Chapter 23, Laws of 1830, directs, 
that "from and after the first day of April of that year, Romulus 
shall be divided into two towns, by a line commencing at Cayuga 
Lake, on the south line of the late west Cayuga Reservation ; 
thence west along the .same to the south-west corner of said Reser- 
vation ; thence north eight degrees, east five chains and twenty- 
five links, to the center of the highway running west through the 
farm of Jacob Vreeland, thirty-one chains; thence west on the 



CENTENNIAL OK ROMULUS. 69 



line between George Alexander and Albert Earll, thirty-three 
chains and ninety links to the east line of Military Lot 63; thence 
south two chains and thirty-three Hnks to the south-east corner of 
Lot 63 ; thence west on the line of Military Lots 63, 68, 62, 67, 
61 and 66, to the east line of Military Lot 64 ; thence north to the 
north-east corner thereof, and from thence west to Seneca Lake." 

The same act directed, that the first town meeting thereafter 
be held in Varick at the house of Benjamin Lemmon, and in 
Romulus at the house of Ira Giddings. 

The present area of Romulus, (since 1S30), includes 22,500 
acres of land, and that of Varick, 19,500 acres. 

Since the division, the most cordial relations have continued 
between parent and child, and much business is still transacted in 
both towns, at this village, on the division line of the two towns, 
as in olden times. Neither of these towns embarked in railroad 
bonding and neither has a public debt. Although the labors of 
the husbandman are not now as remunerative as in earlier years, 
when greater economy was also practiced, and the new in- 
dustries of the two towns, grape culture to the extent of full>' 
1,200 acres, and fruit raising, have not as yet brought profitable 
returns, all are still hopeful of brighter days to come. During the 
present year, two creameries have been established, which it is. 
hoped, will bring favorable revenue to our farmers, for when the 
owner and tiller of the .soil is well rewarded and prosperous, all 
classes and conditions profit by such success. 

The farmers of the town, were from the finst, vigilant in pro- 
tecting their interests, as already- shown. 

At the town meeting held in April, 18 10, it w^as "Resolved, 
that any man letting a Canada thistle go to seed on his farm, to 
be fined five dollars." This commendable action of the people, 
doubtless had a restrictive effect for a time, but unfortunately the 
Canada thistle came to stay, and is largely spread over the fair 
fields of the town. 

Let it be hoped, that we may never have to contend with a 
European foe in the Russian thistle, for which like the Hessian 
fly, the Canada thistle and the Russian La Grippe, we can have no 
love whatever. 



yo CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



The changes and impro\-ements in farming in the past one 
hundred years, covering the transition from the sickle to the self- 
binding reaper, also from the threshing flail to the steam thresher, 
have indeed been marvellous. 

It is creditable to the farmers of Romulus to mention, that as 
early as the year 1842, a farmer's club had been established by 
voluntary membership and association, having among its members 
Hon. Peter J. Van Vleet, Hon. Helini vSutton, Gen. Thomas J. 
Folwell, Edward Sayre, Ebenezer S. and Benjamin Bartlett, and 
Joseph Wyckoff, with their wives, of whom only the first named 
and wife, now survive. This club held frequent meetings by 
alternation, at the homes of the respective members, to discuss the 
best methods of farming etc, and on the part of the lady mexnbers, 
to exchange practical views upon methods of house keeping. As 
can readil}' be understood, these meetings were as well instructive 
and profitable, as socially pleasant gatherings. 

Kendaia Grange, Number 64, Patrons of Husbandry, an or- 
ganization formed January 28, 1874, with Andrew J. Bartlett as 
Worthy Master, which has for its large membership, farmers with 
their wives, mothers, sons and daughters, has for twenty years 
past exerted its influence to instruct, improve and elevate the con- 
dition of the farmer, and to benefit the community as well. 

Seneca County Pomona Grange, Patrons of Hu.sbandry, with 
its membership of about one thousand, is to-day well represented 
here, forming one of the special features of the procession, and 

unites with us in honor of the occasion for which we have assem- 

« 

bled, under the leadership of its chief officer, W. M. Andrew J. 
Bartlett of Romulus. 

It would perhaps have been more satisfactory if we could have 
united with us to-da}' in commemorating this event, representa- 
tives from all the towns formed from the old original town of Rom- 
ulus, especially of the neighboring town of Fayette, which with 
Seneca Falls, occupies a part of the territory of the military town- 
•ship of Romulus^ but it was not deemed feasible to attempt so ex- 
tensive a re-union at this time. It is however gratifying, to see 
many present here to-day from all parts of old Romulus. 

We must leave it to the people of Fayette (the centennial of 



CHNTICNNIAL OK KOMUI.US. 71 



the organization of wliich town will occur in the year 1900) to 
do honor to the pioneer settlers of the Military Township of Rom- 
ulus (and upon the Cayuga Indian Reservation) within the boun- 
daries of that town, and to worthily remember the labors of Dr. 
Alexander Coventr\ , John Rumsey, William Camber, James 
McCIung, Maj. Samuel Bear, Martin Kendig. Israel Catlin, \'in- 
cent Runyan, Martin Hogan, Capt. Wni. Irland, and the Yost, 
Rorison, Bachman, Hendricks', Schott, Sweet, Peterson, Tooker 
and Wan Riper, families with other pioneers of that locality, 
including man\' Pennsylvania German famiHes, forming, with 
some already mentioned, a leading element in the population of 
that town, of whom, those of the name Pontius, Disinger, Reed, 
Hosier, Riegel, Singer, Shankwiler, Kuney, Deppen, Garnet, 
.Alleman, Flickinger, Shaffer, Stoffet, Pratz, and Markel were 
among the earliest settlers. 

The town of Fayette has much historic material to be pre- 
served. Mention may here be made briefly of the earh' hi.stor>- of 
Mormonism in this locality and the translation or transcribing for 
publication of the Mormon Bible by Joseph Smith, the founder of 
Mormonism, in 1830, (in which year it was printed at Palmyra, 
N. Y.) while residing with the family of a P\ayette farmer, Peter 
Whitmer, on Mihtary Lot 13, who with Christian, Jacob, John 
David and Peter Whitmer, Jr., and others, became converts to 
Mormonism and followed Smith to Kirtland, Ohio, and onward 
in his removals westward. David Whitmer, one of the last sur- 
vivors of these converts, died at Richmond, Missouri, a few years 
ago, (1H85), at the age of eighty years. 

A monument to the celebrated Indian Chief, Red Jacket, 
Sa-go-ya-wat-ha, was unveiled at his birth place at Canoga, in 
Fayette, under the auspices of the Waterloo Library and Histori- 
cal Society, with appropriate ceremonies, October 14, 1891, and 
the exercises and proceedings upon that occasion, have been pub- 
lished in pamphlet form, by that society. Canoga and two other 
Indian villages near by, on Cayuga Lake, were destroyed by a de- 
tachment from General Sullivan's army, in September 1779. 

The town of Seneca Falls, a part of the territory of the old 
town of Romulus, fittingly observed the centennial of its first 



72 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS 



settlement, and made a suitable record of the pioneer services of 
Job Smith, I^awrence Van Cleef, Col. Wilhelmus Mynderse, 
David Lum and others — on the fourth day of July, 1887. 
The Historical address on that occasion, was delivered by 
Henry Stowell, editor of the Seneca Flails Reveille. 

The Library and Historical Society, at Waterloo as elsewhere 
stated, has laid aside in its archives, much material relating to the 
early nistory of that town, and the Indian village of Skoiyase, lo- 
cated theiein, — a monument to commemorate the destruction of 
which, by a detachment of General vSullivan's army, having been 
dedicated in September, 1S79, an account of which was published 
in a volume issued in 1880, entitled Seneca County Sullivan Cen- 
tennial. 

Let us hope, that the good people of the towns of Junius and • 
Tyre, will collect and preserve such data as ma}' still be accessible, 
to complete and perpetuate their early histor}', so far as possible. 
The history of the old towns of Galen and Wolcott, former 
towns of Seneca county, until the erection of Wayne county, 
April II, 1S23 — with the four towns afterwards erected therefrom. 
Savannah, Butler, Rose and Huron, (all a part of the territorj^ of 
' the original town of Romulus) has been intelligently and thor- 
oughly written up, by Prof. Lewis H. Clark, of Sodus, in his 
Military History of Wayne Count}', issued in 1884. 

A local History of the town of Rose, edited by Alfreds. Roe, 
under the title, "Rose Neighborhood Sketches," is now also in 
process of publication. 

The towns of Romulus and Varick entered with a patriotic 
spirit upon the celebration of the centennial of American Indepen- 
dence, in 1876, and in 1H79, when the centennial of the Sullivan 
expedition was obser\-ed at Waterloo, these towns also bore an 
important part in making the same a success. All honor is due to 
the Waterloo Library and Historical Society, for the successful 
management of that celebration, and for its zeal and activity, ever 
shown in efforts to collect and preserve facts and incidents relating 
to the settlement and history ot* Waterloo and its pioneer settlers, 
as indeed, in the absence of a county Hi.storical society, it has ex- 



CKNTIvNNIAr, oi' RO.Airi.lTS. 73 



tended its influence and efforts also to collect and preserve the earh' 
history of the several towns of this connt\-. It is gratitying to 
know, that this society is worthih" represented here to-da\'. 

In i<S8g, the centennial of the first .^^//'^V/'/cv// of Romulus, was 
observed in this beautiful grove, where we this da\- meet, and our 
presiding officer of to-day, gave a very instructive and interesting 
address on that occasion, which doubtless gave some incentive 
also, to our celebration to-day. 

The first century of our official existence now closed, has been 
one of progress and advancement veril\' from barbarism to ci\'il- 
ization, in its higiiest forms. 

It has witnessed the triumphs of steam and electricity as 
applied by the ingenuity of man, not only for moti\'e and propel- 
ling power, but also in man\- other and diversified forms, to im- 
prove the condition, alleviate the labors and promote the highest 
and best interests of man — and no where has all this become more 
manifest, than to the dweller in a rural community, like ours. 

We stand here, to-day, upon the threshold of the second cen- 
tur}' of official existence, and having taken a retrospective \-iew of 
the century which has passed, let us now look forward to the fu- 
ture, with trust and confidence in the Divine Being, that He will 
mercifully direct the events of the future, as He has the past. 

In closing, while thanking j^ou for your kind attention, and 
with acknowledgments to all wdio assisted me, in collecting histor- 
ical material, I can find no words more fitting, as adapted to this 
occasion, than those of a patriotic Statesman of New York, now 
deceased, whose name will ever stand high upon the scroll of our 
public men : 

" The past is full of noble examples, animating us with patri- 
otic love of our vState and Nation, but we must not confine our 
attention to the past. The present and the future ha\e their ol)li- 
gations. It is our duty to emulate the patriotism of our fathers. 
In all that concerns our Town, County, vState, and common 
countr)', let us not only be mindful of the past, but in everything 
that affects education, morality, progress and patriotism, l)e ani- 
mated by the spirit of the motto, emblazoned upon the shield of 
our State— /^'ATAA.SYOA', ' ' 



74 



CENTENNIAL OP ROMULUS. 



APPENDIX TO HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 

Al'I'KNDlN A. 

Abstract (if Land Patents in Romulus Military townsliip, taken from 
the State records at Albanv : 



Xa/z/i's of l^atriitfc: 



Edmund Kelly . . . 
Benjamin Dey . . 
Wm. Jackson. . . 
Teunis I. Henion. 
|ohn Gamhee . . . . 



l-:iijah Miller 

Michael Shetterlv 



Anthony Dey , 

(.Survey 50 acres) 

Col. Cornelius \'an Dvck 

John Beardsley 

Abner Prior 

Jacob Hallett 

John Armstrons^ 

Mordecai Hale 

*Gospel and School Lot 

Charles Thompson 

David Dev 

Alia McMath 

John Mead . 

(ierrit W. Van Schaick 

Capt. James Greg^ 

John Jacob 

Thomas Owens 

Robert McClellan 

Col. James Livingston ....... . 

tLiterature Lot 

John B. Schuyler 

Jacob Lowdon 

James Barr 

James Karr 

Purchaser L nknown 

Peter W. Yates, .Survey 50 acres 

John P. Boyea. 

John Stake ... 

|ohn Beardsley 

Capt. H. \'an Del)urLdi 



sur\'ev t;o acres 



^ 



43 

44 

45 



-^ 



46 

47! 
48 
so 



^•'Deeded by Trustees of Lot. 

tSold and deeded bv Union College, 



500 

100 S. K 
600 
600 I 



500 
100 
500 
100 
600 
600 
600 



N. F. 

600! 
600 1 
500 i 

lOOJS. K. 
600 
600 



N.W. 

600 

600 S. F.. 



Igl.9 

68.8 
79 '4 

46.5 
48 
04 
So 



180.20 
100 
17346 
100 

SO 



144 

g6 

IQ2 
48 
48 

: 50 



CKNTKNNIAL OV U(J!\IUia S. 



75 



lohn Gamber 
"Elijah Miller. 



59 



John Buys 

|. A. Watle and othei s 

Nathaniel Ayres 

Abel Bacon 

( Survey 50 acres) 

James Parker ... 

Christopher Queen 

Ephriani Blanchard 

Gen. Alex. McDougall 

Robert Troup 

Benj. Goodale 

Richard Moore 

Peter Bainbridge 

Eleazer Yeamans 

loshua Davis 

Arthur Hurley. . . 

Joseph Jones 

John Green 

Peter Green 

James Goodall 

Timothy Green • . . . . 

leremiah Smith 

Lieut. Jonathan Lawrence, jr. . . . 

Lieut. Peter Tappan , 

Abiel Petty 

Jeremiah Van Rensselaer.. 

George Stock 

Wm. Gilleland, jr. . . 

Lieut. Col. Cornelius \'an Dyck 

Elkanah Watson 

Thomas Bryan 

Philip \'an Cortlandt 

Daniel Dawson 

Alex. Munro 

Richard Piatt 

Samuel Dodge 

Chas. McKenny 

Abraham Hodge. 

Lieut. John Stagg, jr 

Thomas Brooks 

John Beardsley 

John Williams 

Lieut. Chas. ¥. Weissenfels. . . . 

John Cosgrove 

Robert McClellan 

Lieut. Col. Benj. Walker 

Wm. Gilleland 

Isaiah Burch 

Robert Provoost 

Jacob Hallett 

Michael Decker 

Cornelius C. Elmendorf 

James Grace 



600 1 I 



I 5 
,.s. w 

600 

600 

600 

500 

ioo!s. E. 

600 



66 
67 
68 
69 

70 

7' 

72 

73 
74 

75 
76 

77 

78 

79 

80 

81 
82 
83 
84 
85 
86 
87 
88 

89 
go 

91 
9 



137 

164 

160 

60 

155 
46.4 
iig.8 

50 



S. E, 



S. E, 



500 

100 

600 

600 

600 

600 

600 

600 1 

600I 

600 

600, 

600 

600 

500 

100 

500 

100 S. E 

500 

lOo's. E 

500 

100 S. E 

600 j 

600' 

600 

600 

600 

600 

600 

500 

100 S. E. 

600 

600 

500, 

100 S. E 

500 

100 

93 j 600 
04! 500 

I 100 S. E 

95 500 

' 100 .S. E 

g6 600 ' 



76 

John Goodcourage. 

Levi' Burlint; 

John Robinson . . . , 
Florence Marony.. 
Thompson Bacon. 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUF. 



^7 


600 




08 


500 






100 


S. IC. 


QQ 


600 




100 


600 





Patents for ^00 acres and 6oo acres each were issued during the month 
nf July, i7go while patents for 100 acres or 50 acres or other subdivided 
lots were issued at later dates. 

Awards matle by Onondaga Commissioners in cases ol disputed titles 
in Romulus Military townshij). 



Lots. 



Nai/ies. 



Acres. 



4.3 
44 
¥' 

49 
50 
51 

52 
53 

=;6 

57 
^8 

59 
60 
62 

^'3 
64 
67 
69 

70 
71 
74 



79 

So 
81 
86 

88 

89 
92 
95 
97 



Peter W. \'ates 

Gerrit W. \'anSchaick 

Elkland Watson 

Nathaniel Piatt 

John Jieardslee 

VVm. Thompson 

Gerrit W. \'anSchaick. 
John Robison .... 

John D. Dickinson 

Elijah Kinne, Jr 

David Wisner 

John Dey 



K. 



50 N. E. 
600 
50 N. w. 

100 s. K. 

K. 



Benj. Dey 500 

Peter W. Yates . . 50 S. 

G.W.\'anSchaick,& H.Bleeckerl 500 

John Beardslee 1 100 s. 

Benj. Dey | 600 

Gerrit W. VanSchaick. ... 

Benj. Dey 

Isaac Hathaway 

John Rogers' heirs 

Elkanaii VVatson . ... 

C. Glen & B. IMeecker .... 

Geo. Al. Woolsey 

Nicholas P'ish.. 

Caleb Benton 

Elkanah Watson 

Margaretta X'arick 

Robert Troup 

James McKnight 

Margaretta \'arick 

Caleb i5enton 

John D. Coe 

James Reed 

Robert Dill 

Peter \N . Yates 

Calvin Sanger 

Elkanah Watson 



w. 



50 X. 
600 
550 
600 

50 s. 
600 

50 s. 
100 s. 
600 

50 N. 

50 N. 
600 
600 

550 

50 s. 
500 
100 S. 
500 
100 S. K. 

50 S. W. 

50 S. K. 
600 
500 
100 S. K. 

550 

50 N. \V. 
500 

100 S. K. 
500 
100 
600 



W, 



E. 



W. 



r>aff of .1 ward. 

Nov. 14, 1798, 
March 19, 1801 



30. 
3. 
15. 
16, 

24. 



Nov. 9, 
Dec. 13, 
Nov. 14. 
Aug. 16, 
]:)ec. 4. 
Nov. 5, 
Nov. II, 
May 6, 
Dec. 27, 
Nov. 15, 
Sept. 10, 
Jany 
Dec. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Nov. 
June 3, 
Jany.^30, 
Nov. 15, 
Oct. 31, 
Nov. 16, 
March 19, i8or 
Nov. 15, 1798 
Nov. 28, 1798 
Sept. 12, 1799 
Nov. 22. 1798 
March 19, 1801 
Aug. 16, 1800, 
Dec. 8, i8o( 
Aug. 5, 1799 
Dec. 13, 1800 
March 30, 1798 
Nov. 17, 1798 
Dec. 28, 1798 
Oct. 17, 1799. 
Feby. 24, 
Feby. 24, 
Feby. 23, 



1799 
1800, 
1798 
1800 
1798 

1799 
1800 
1800 
1800 

1799 
1800 
1802 
1798 
1800 
1800 
180G 
1799 
1802 
1799 

1799 
1798 



180 



180 



Copietl from the "Book of Awards," filed in Cayuga County Clerk's Office 
These Awards ])ear date during a period from March 30, 1798, to Yehy. 24, 
1082. Tiie awards made as to Lots 60, 70, 71 and 79 were dissented to. 



CENTENNIAL 01< ROMULUS. 



77 



WKST CAYUGA RKSKK\'AT[ON'. 

IN TOWN OF \AKUK. 

From records at Albany it appears lots were patented as follows 



Lots. 



To Whom I'alriilrd. 



Date of rattiit. 



No. of 
Acres. 



58 
59 
60 



61 
62 
63 
64 



6^ 
66 

67 
68 

6y 

70 

71 
7- 
11) 
1\ 
75 
76 

77 
78 

79 
80 

Hi 
82 

83 
84 



Christian Kuney 

William Hill 

William N. Jiaimister. . 1 

I^ewis Xothnagle '■ 

Jacob Lautenschlaf!;er.. > 

David Harris 

Andrew Hood 

John Ansber^er 

John Leisennng pt 

Amelia J. Schuyler pt 

Charles Thompson pt 

Seneca P. Kin^ pt 

Elijah Miller.! 

John Camber 

Henry Singer 

Elijah Miller 

John Williams 

John Gamber 

Thomas Lowdon and Cieorge Clouser. 

Samuel Falkingburgh 

Henry Pace 

Henrv Gardner 

William Hill 

Samuel Phillips 

Elias Christopher 

Abraham Arnold 

W^illiam Emmons 

Isaac Parker and Al)raham Hoagiand 

David Quigley 

David Edwards 

Henry Gardner 

Daniel Christopher 



September 17, 1811. 
Not ascertained.. . . 



January 4, 1814.. .. 

February 11, 1814.. 
September 17, 1811. 

April 27, 1832 

Xoveml)er 6, 1816.. 
December 30, 1863 



November y, 1816.. 

July 25, 1818 

May 30. 1809 

November g, 1816. . 

March 5. 1816 

July 5, 1810 

July 8, 181 3 

January 7, 181 1 

May 30, 1809 

Not ascertained.. . . 
April 20, 1815.. . . . 

Mav 30, 1809 

July 8, 1813 

August 8, 181 1 

July 6, 181 5 

January 16, 1817. . . 

June 14, 1816 

June I, 1815 

February 29, 1808... 
May 30, 1809 



250 

250 

250 

•55 
250 
250 



238 
250 
250 
213 
208 
250 
250 
200 
200 
250 
200 
208 
214 
250 
250 
216 

22'^ 

'95 
140 
.84 



Appendix B. 
"Memorial of inhabitants between the Seneca and Cayuga lakes in the 
Military Tract" - presented to the Legislature June 27, 1795. 

"\dur petitioners, did in the year 1788, settle themselves between the 
lakes with the e.xpectation of enjoying the lands, on which they were each 
settled and as at that early day they were not informed that the said lands 
were assigned for Military piirjioses. 

V(jur petitionei's therefore pray, that they may not be looked upon as 
intruders and violators of the laws, and as they have made large improve- 
ments between the Lakes, which a few years ago was wild, savage and un- 



78 



CENTliNNrAL O^ ROMuLl/is'. 



cultivated, but now has become an inhabited, fruitful and fertile country, 
which in a few months we expect to leave to the legal owners of the soil--' 
your Petitioners think it reasonable, that a compensation should be made to 
them for their improvements. 

Signed by twenty-three persons including 

Nathaniel Swakthout, 
Anthony Swarthout, 
John Swarthout, 
David Depue, 
David Wisner, 
James Cooley, 
James King. 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 79 



1823, 
1824, 
1825, 



837. 



Appendix C. 

Supfr'-.'isors of Romulus to iSjo . 

1704. 95. 96 Bknajah Boardman 

1797, 98, 99. 1800 George Bailey 

1800, Sept. 2 JOHN Sayre (vacancy) 

1801! to 1808, inclusive • ..John Sayre 

1809, to 1814, inclusive Jonas hEELEY 

jgjr W.M. Watts I*oLWELL 

1816! to 1821, "inciusive Samuel Blain 

jg22 Jonas Seeley 

*"'"""''[[]"'*,'..'"_'.'.'. Mather Marvin 

' [ 1 1 " ' ' ] j j Anthony Dey 

!!!!!!!."!.!! 1 !!!!! i ! mather marvin 

J825' !!!*.!!!!!!!!!.'"!!. jonasSeeley 

1 827! 28, 20 Sa MUEi, Blain 

Supervisors from iSjo. 

8jo 31,32 Io»^' ^ayrk 

8^^ '■ JonasSeeley 

- oq -.(^ Matthew D. Coe 

Edward Sayre 

.....'.'.................... Cyrus J. Sutton 

gog' Nathaniel N. Hayt 

840I .....[................. Cyrus J. Sutton 

841 ' ............. Elijah Denton 

842' Wm. A. Stout 

843,44 Wm. T Johnson 

845' ............... Henry McLafferty 

846! 47 .......... Peter J. VanVleet 

848', Cyrus KiNNE 

849' Joseph F. Harris 

850^51 '. Fernando C. Williams 

852^53 Amasa L. Furman 

854J ^ Helim Sutton 

855', 56, 57 '.'.".* ".'.'"....".'.'..". Joseph F. Harris 

858, 59.60 Peter J. VanVleet 

861,62, .Peter P. Post 

863, ' .'. Richard M. Steele 

864' 65 Wm. D. Giddings 

866! 67 • <-^F.o. W. Jacacks 

868,69, 70, 71, 72 James Blain 

873,74 E. Seeley Bartlett 

875,' 76 Aaron V. Brokaw 

877I 78 .' John M. Yerkes 

87g' John Monroe 

880,' .'.'.". .' ...William Stewart 

881! ....... .'. .'.' James Blain 

882^83 .... Rynear C. Allen 

884,85,86 Edward VanVleet 

887! 88.' 89 Cyrus E. KiNNE 

8go, UoN p. Blain 

8gi,' Chas. W. Rising 

8,^2^93 Darwin C. Kinne 

8g/ ,,, , JOSIAH YeRKF,^ 



8o CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



To7vn Clerks to 18^0. 

'794, W'm. Wintkk 

'795>96 Gf:orge Bailey 

1797. 98, 99, 1800. John Sayre 

'801, 2, 3, Daniel Sayrf. 

1804, 5, 6, 7 Joseph Wyckoff 

1808, 9. 10, II ... Silas Allen 

'812, EbENEZER CONKLIN 

1813,14. David Edwards 

1815, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Ebenezer Conklin 

1823,24 Wm. H. King 

1825, 26, 27 Matthew D. Coe 

1828, 2g John Geddes 

Town Mectiiis^s. llVirrf /AAf. 

1794 at Benajah Boardman's. 

1795, 96, at James McKnight's. 

1797, to 1800, inclusive, at John Sayre's. 

1801, to 1819, inclusive, at David Depue's. 

1820, 21, 22, at John Buys.' 

1823, at Skillman Doty's. 

1824, at David Edwards.' 

1825, at George Alexander's. 

1826, at David Depue's. 

1827, 28, 29, at George Alexanders. 
1830, 31. 32, 33, at Ira Giddings". 

1834, at Henry M. Schooley's. 

1835, 3.t William Martin's. ' 

Since 1835, town elections have been held at the centre of the town 
at Martin's, or in School House near there. In 1890, the town was divided 
into three election districts, for the holding of General State elections, with 
election polls at Willard, Hayt's Corners, and Romulus \'illage. 



Si//>frvisors of 1 'arick. 

1830, Anthony Dey 

1831,32,33 Saml'el Blain 

1834,35,36 Charles Lemmon 

1837, JOHN A. Christopher 

1838, Daniel H. Bryant 

1839, John A. Christopher 

1840, ". David Harris 

1841, Jesse Abbott 

1842,43 Robert R. Steele 

1844, Daniel H.Bryant 

1845,46,47 Jesse Abbott 

1848, Joseph Gasibee 

1849, ••■• Jesse Abbott 

1850, Robert R.Steele 

1851, Jesse Abbott 

1852, Solomon C. Gambee 

1853,54 Abraham Lerch 

1855, ,.... . Wut.TAM Bl'RROl'GH.S 



CKNTKNMAr. Ol' RO.Mn.rS. 8i 

^5^1, ( ". i:()K(;i-. S, C()\()vi-.K 

H57, 58, 5(; Wll.l.l.WI Bl'UKOl'fillS 

<S6o, loiix Monkop: 

861.62 I\i- \ . I )ii ijKicii Wii I i;ks 

863,64 \i,KKKi) llrN-r 

861;, 66 l)ii:i)Ki( 11 Wii I i:ks, |k. 

867,68 C\l.\ IN \\ ll.l.KKS 

869,70 \i.KKKi) Hint 

871. HlKKOl GHS ROBICK IS 

872, 7.V 74 Hi'.NKV F. 'I'kout.man 

87^. KaII'II 1'. RoHKKl'S 

876. DwidH. Mam.i-, 

877, 7-'^- Dk. Ikank U. Kiik.i) 

879, 80 loiix w Ckam; 

881,82.83 HlCNKY C. LiSK 

884,85.86 1)AM|-.I. C. Jk'KKorCllS 

887, 88, 89 ( )|.IN E. ]':.\l KNS 

890. JliHX McKXHiHT 

891, \k iiUR H. IJkooks 

892.93,94 ( )(;i)i;\ Wiii-j-.i.i K 

Town im-L'tin,L;s ill \'anck lioiii 183611) 1855. were usually iield alterna- 
tely at Jolin ^". Mannin^-'s at the west end. and Samuel Lerch's on Military 
Lot 54, at the Xortlteast end. Since 1856. town nieetiiiirs alternate between 
Hearytown and RonuiUis vilkiLCe. From 1842 t<i 185^, general elections were 
lield in two election districts, at Mannint^^'s and Lerch's and since l8s6 at 
15earvtown and Koniulus \illa.s;e. 

Ai'i'i:xi)]x I). 
Tcac/icrx Board in >^ and II 'ood Lists. 

The following will exhibit a true copy of the wood and hoard Idiiiifl 
during the t|uarter last past, ending January 21st, 1825, \ i/ ; 

Mr. J. Hathaway, i cord of wood, ten days board. 

Mr. T. Mann, 1 cord of wood, 12 days board. 

Mr. D. Garrigus, 'i cord wood. 6 days board. 

Mr. A. lialdridge, 3 days board, % cord of wood. 

Mr. R. Barr, 5 days board, i cord of wood. 

Mr. I). Dey, 12 days board, i cord of wood. 

Mr. A. McKnight. 3 davs board, K cord of wood. 

Mr. S. McMath, 4 days'board. 

Mr. E. Beach, 3 days board, % cord of wood. 

Mr. jac. Lovvden, i days board, '^ cord of wood. 

Mr. James Lowden, 6 days board. 

Mr. A. Lyon, i days board, % cord of wood. 

Mr. Markle, i cord of wood, 8 days board. 

Mr. I^argar, i days board, 'j cord of wood. 

Mr. Wilcox, 2 days board. 

Mr. Karr, 2 days board, '2 cord of wood. 

Mr. Smith, i days board, y^ cordof wood. 

Capt. T. Ludlum, J4 c<;rd of wood, 1 days board. 

Mr. J. 15each. '4 cord of wood. 

Dispute this if vou can. 

K. WEl'.STER, I'eachcr. 

Copied in 1879, from the original, in [lossession ol Jacob A. Mann, of 
\'arick, since deceased. 



82 



CENTKNNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



Appendix E. 

Return of Electors, in the town of Romulus, Countv of CavujJ^a, 1801. 



Heads of i'ainiUcs. 



John Seeley 

Mahlon Hainhridgc. 
WMlliam Seeley. .. . . 

Jacob Hathaway 

Thomas Combs 

Haynes Bartlett . . .. 
lames McKnii^ht. . . . 

"Alia McMathT 

William Mount 

Peter Quiifley 

William Hrewste'r. . . 

Jesse Brewster 

John Hainbridge . . . 
James Goble ....... 

Michael Baldridge. . 
Frederic Kisler 

Eliel Goble 

John Fleming 

Stephen Miller 

Abner Bainbridge. . . 

Jonathan Lewis 

William Stottle . . . 

Joseph Ker 

William Buzenbark. 

William Barney 

John Tindall 

Joseph Hunt 

Silas }5eers 

James Seeley 

Timothy Janes 

Phineas Tuthill 

Jonas Seeley 

Charles Stewart 

David Price 

F^enjamin .Sutton . . . . 

Asa Smith 

Walter Watrus 

James Watrus 

William .Shattuck . . . 
Fliphalet Shattuck . 

John Stone 

lames Wiley 

"William IMain 

Alexander IJrown . . . 
lonathan Baitman . 



Electors 
possessed of Free 
Iiolds of the val- 
ue of £100. i"''' ^.f £^c» '"''^ 
\iinder £.100 



Elector. 



Electors 



PossessedofFree"':' ^T ' 
holds vf the valA^''!'''"^'^': 



but 



not possessed of 

fthe'vaU^^'J'''"'' ^ 

who rent te/ie- 

ni'ts yr'/y value 

0/40 sh/llin_i_''s. 



ci{nti<:nniai< oi* KoMiu.rs. 



«3 



James liailey 

Abiier liailey 

loiiathan Bailey 

'Thomas Buiijess . . . 
Heiijainiii Burgess. . 
lames WoodnitT. . . . 

William Osborn 

William W. Dekay. 

Joshua Hallock 

Samuel 15ailey 

Andrew Dunnet 

George Wilkin 

John Halbert 

James King 

Francis Antony 

Thomas Parkins 

Israel Harris 

Peter Huff 

David Depue 

Bastian Williams.. . , 
Michael \'an Cort . 
Jesse Kilpatrick. ... 

Walter Ker 

Joseph Finton 

Joseph Wicofl'. . . . 

Johj'. Terhune 

Albert Earl 

William Huff 

William Hood 

John Hood 

(leorge Hood 

-Andrew Hood ..... 
Joseph Haynes 
John Alexander . . . 

lames Alexantler . . 

'Rt)bert White 

John Williams ... 

Barna Swarthout . . . 

John Swarthout. .. . 

David Wisner 

IClijali Kinne. , . . . . 

E[)hraim Kinne . . . 

N'at Swarthout . . . 

Anthony Swarthout. 

loseph Lewis 

Jeremiah Decker. . . 

Reuben Denton. . . 

Michael Mead 

Sanuiel Reed 

Zehedee Stout ..... 

John Sage. ... .... 

Samuel Waldron. . 

Francis Hagerman. 

John Hagerman. . . . 

Daniel Mathews. . . 

Abel Baker 



H 

Peter Huff, ]r 

lames Brown 

Andrew -McKinoht. 
James Barr . . .' 

Henry Ikers 

(iabriel Beacfi 

Samuel Easton. . . . 

Josiali P'^aston 

Ezekiel Beach 

Jabez Beach 

Jonas Beach 

Isaac Hathawav . . 
Josej.h Hathawav .. 
Robert Wilson '. .. 
Geor^^^e Waldorff . , 
Abraham Waldorff 

James Lamb 

Benjamin Lemmon. 

John Lacy 

Joini Hathaway 

Kdward Spalding . . 

James Cooly 

Asa Whitehead . . ' .' 

Henry Gray 

I'homas Lowden 

Isaias Lewis 

George Lamb 

John Sinclear . .' * 

David Lamb .' .' 

Charles Woodruff" 

Sears Beach [[] 

Benjamin Dey . . . . .. . 

Jacob Lowden ., 

Peter Basuni ." 

Anthony \'anAkin'..' .' .' 

John Arnold 

i^eter StottJe .' .' 

George Stottle 

Lewis Lafever 

Joseph Yerkes 

William Purdy 

'rhomas Purdy 

Charles Dicke'rson . . . 

James Merit 

John Waldron 

John Birt 

Thomas Blain 

George Dewy 

Philip Bunn.' 

John Whitney 

Samuel Whitney 

/\nios L)enton 

Stephen Sherwood . . . 

I--lijah Chard 

\\'illiam Rowley. . 
Joseph Barber. .' ...... 



CENTENNIAI, OF ROMUI^US. 



CKNTKNNIAI, Ol' ROM 11. US. 



85 



Samuel lirow 11 

lacob Blown 

jiihn Bdice, Jr 

Jacob T^oice 

|olin Boice 

Joshua Tutliill 

Daniel Sayre 

Dunlap — , 

Adonijah Osborn. . 

Andrew Smith 

David Smitli.. .... 

David Burnmghs. . , 

.\bel Frisbie 

Isaac Johnson 
Samuel Thurstin. . 
Samuel Gordon. . . 
Samuel Falkenburii; 

Henry Grier 

James Ker 

Sam'l Ker 

Elijah Graton 

Benjamin Badgley. 
John Sayre ■ 



I, John Savre, do certify this Census to be true, accon 
my knowledge and belief. 

October 20th, 1801. 
XoTF. — The spellinsj; of names herein, conforms to the 



to the best of 

OHX SAVRK. 

riginal list. 



Appendix F. 

"The Rev. Diedrich Willers, IX D., died at his residence, in the town 
of \'arick, Seneca County, X. \ ., on Sunday, .\la> 13th, 1S83, in the 86th 
year of his age. 

He was born at \\'alle, near Bremen, Ciermany. l'"el)ruary 6, i/yS. Mc 
entered the army of Hanover, September, 1814, and served in the German 
division of the allied army for nearly five years; was an active |)artici])ant 
in the memorable battle of Waterloo, Belgium, June \<>, 17, and 18, 1815, 
with the allied army, under the Duke of Wellington. 

In this battle, the company of which he was a member, consisting ol 
120 men, was reducetl to 12 privates and two non-commissioned officers, 
and the battalion of 400 men, to less than 80 survivors. 

He continued with the allied forces, as army of occuiiatiun in France, 
ftir three years, after the downfall of Bonaparte, when he was lionorably 
discharged and awarded a silver medal in recognition of his military 
services. 

He arrived m the I'nited States in Xovember i8l(;, and engaged in 
school teaching, while preparing for the ministry, and so thorough was his 
application, that he was ordained to the ministry in 1821. 



86 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 

He was settled in tnat year, as pastor of the German Reformed Church, 
at the hamlet of Bearytown, in central Seneca County, and ministered to 
that iieople, for a consecutive period of sixty years and eight montlis, and 
until January ist, 1882, when his resignation took effect, rendered necessary 
by growing infirmities. 

While ministering to his own people, he served also, at different pe- 
riods at six other preaching points in the county, and at seven or eight other 
])oints in Tompkins, Cayuga, Wayne, Livingston and Niagara Counties, 
performing a large proportion of the travel, incident to so extended a field 
oi lal)or, on horseback, especially during the first half of his nfinistrv. 

During this ministry, he preached about 5,800 regular Sunday dis- 
courses, almost equally divided between the German and English language, 
besides many funeral and special discourses, and performed a large amount 
of nnnisterial labor, in the solemnization of marriages, and in the adminis- 
tration of the rites of baptism and confirmation. 

He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Franklin Marshall 
College, at Lancaster, Pa." George S. Conovek, 

In General John Sullivan's Indian Expedition, State iniblication, i>f 1S87. 

Appendix G. 

Diedrich Willers, Jr., .son of Rev. Dr. Diedrich and Frances Willcrs, 
was born in Varick, N. Y., Nov. 3, 1833. He was educated jirincipallv in 
the District school and under the direction of his father. 

In his youth he taught school for several years, and afterwards gradu- 
ated as a student-at-law, at the Albany Law University. 

He was elected Supervisor of Varick, in 1865, and 1866. He had akso 
served as Private Secretary to Goveriun- Horatio Seymour in 1864. His 
service in the office of the Secretary of State at Albany, at different periods, 
covered six years as a clerk, eight years as l)e])uty, and two years as Sec- 
retary of State, to which office he was elected at the State election in Nov. 

In November 1877, he was elected Member of A.ssembly lor .Seneca 
County, and served as such in the Legislature of 1878. 

J. WiLFciKi) Jacks, Chairman of Executive Committee. 



CKNTKNNIAI, oi" u():\iri.rs. 



AFTERNOON vSESvSION CONTINUED. 

At the conclusion of the Historical address, the audience 
joined with the Farmer Quartette, in singing "Auld l^ang S3'ne." 
The Waterloo Organ Company kindly furnished printed sheets, 
containitig well known musical selections rendered during the 
da)-. 

The President announced the "Sentiments" jirepared for the 
occasion, and the name of the person selected to respond to each — 
in the order in which the same appear herein : 

•• THK SIX NATIONS OF INDIANS." 

Responded to by Hon. George vS. Conover, of Geneva, as 
follows : \'i 

"The town of Romulus, at one time comprised all the terri- 
tor}- between Cayuga and Seneca lakes, from Ovid to Lake 
Ontario. This territory, as w^ell asthe whole of Seneca county, at 
the time of the advent of the white people, was owned and occu. 
]-)ied by the Cayuga Indians, and within its bounds were many 
Indian villages, some of which, like vSkoiyase, Kendaia, Canoga, 
and Nuquiage, were of considerable importance. The locations of 
other towns, which existed long anterior to the settlement of the 
count}' b>- the white people, have been identified, but their history 
is unknown. From the remains that have been found, however, 
some of them must have been of large .size. One of these was in 
the neighborhood of the Baptist church, in the pre.sent town (jf 
Romulus, and another, which had quite an extensive fortification 
and niu.st have been an important village, was near the center of 
the .southerly half of the present town of Fa3'ette. 

It is well known, that the Cayugas compri.sed one of the VW^ 
Nations, associated with the Senecas, Onondagas, Oneidas, and 
Mohawks, which comprised the League of the Iroquois, formed 
by Hiawatha, to which confederacy the Tuscaroras were after- 
wards admitted. From that time, they were known as the Six 
Nations of Indians. Other Indian tribes were within their bounds, 
being the captives or remnants of other nations that had been 
nearly exterminated, and had been adopted by and brought under 



88 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS 



the subjection of the vSix Nations, forming in reah'ty an integral 
part. The settlement of Kendaia is a good illustration. 

To these Six Nations of Indians, we owe a peculiar debt of 
gratitude. The struggle between the French and English for tiie 
supremacy of the countrj', which occurred about the middle of the 
eighteenth centurj' was a long and bitter contest. For a time, the 
Cayugas and Senecas were more or less under the influence of 
FVench emissaries, but at last, through the exertions of Sir William 
John.son, they were in a great measure won over to the interest of 
the British, and with their active assistance, the tide of war was 
changed, and all the French possessions and interests passed into 
the hands of the British, and the result was, that we are to-day an 
English, instead of a French-speaking people. 

In the course of time, the revolutionary war occurred, and the 
Six Nations became the firm allies of the British. It is quite the 
fashion at this time, to excuse and palliate the acts of the Indians 
during that war; but their warfare was cruel and bar])arous, and 
for this we owe them no kindly remembrance. 

As the revolutionary war drew to a close, it became apparent 
that the coloni.sts were to be successful. Ina.smuch as tlie confed- 
eration was simply a naked league of thirteen states, fighting for 
their independence, it 'almost seemed as if victory would l)e 
followed by disintegration. At this time, the question as to the 
title to the Western territory-, became an important one. New 
York, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, had conflicting 
claims to more or less of the same territory. This claim the other 
states resisted, contending that as the territory was wrested from 
a common enemy, it .should be con.sidered as joint propert\', to be 
disposed of l)y Congress, for the common good. ITpon this ques- 
tion, popular feeling was so strong, that the withdrawal of some 
of the states .seemed imminent. At this crisis, while the infant 
Union was trembling in the balance. New York, with a magna- 
nimity unsurpassed in history, executed to the general govern- 
ment, a deed of all the Western territory lying beyond the present 
limits of the state. This deed, with all the conflicting claims, was 
referred by Congress, to a committee of five, who made a long and 



CKNTHNNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



careful examinalion and unanimously reported, that New York 
had the onl>' title, for the reason that all the lands belonging to 
the Six Nations of Indians and their tributaries, had been in due 
form put under the protection of the crown of England, by the said 
Six Nations, as appendant to the government of New York, who 
had borne the burden both as to blood and treasure, of protecting 
and supporting the said Indians, for upwards of one hundred 
years; that England had always treated the said country as ap- 
pendant to the government of New York; that this had been so 
acknowledged and recognized by the public acts of the neighbor- 
ing colonies, including the other claimants, and, therefore, "that 
Congress accepting this cession, the jurisdiction of the whole terri- 
tory belongiiig to the Six Nations and their tributaries, will be 
vested in the United States, greatly to the advantage of the 
Union." This report was adopted by Congress, the deed of New 
Yoik was accepted, and thence the American Union was a fore- 
gone conclusion. 

Thus, New York gave up all the territory outside of her own 
borders, for the sake of the Union, and to conciliate Massachu- 
setts, she eventually ceded to her, the title to a large share of the 
territory within her own limits. For the sake of conciliation and 
peace, Virginia was allowed to retain the territory now comprising 
the state of Kentucky, while Connecticut received about 4,000,000 
acres in present Ohio, known as the "Western Reserve." New 
York gave up all, receiving nothing in return save the benefits, in 
common with the other states, resulting from the formation of the 
Union. 

For the aid of the Six Nations given in the French war, and 
which resulted in our Ijeiug an EngHsh-speaking people, and for 
the title derived from them, of the vast Western territory, the sur- 
render of which made the union of states possible, we do indeed 
owe the Six Nations of New York Indians, a debt of gratitude, and 
should ever hold them in kindly remembrance. 



The Geneva Saturday Reviexv, adds the following, to its pub- 
lication of Mr. Conover's address, referring to a celebration held 
in Watson's Grove, under the auspices of the Central Seaeca 



90 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 

County Sabbath School Association, of which Mr. Conover was 
President, August i6, 1854 : 

"Mr. Conover then said, that this day had a deep meaning to 
him. Forty years before, he had presided in this same grove, at a 
meeting of the Sunday schools of Varick, Romulus and Fayette. 
He was glad to meet a few who were here then. While he had 
since lived in Geneva, many had gone to their heavenly home. 
Father Willers, the gifted divine, and father of the reader of the 
day's historical paper, had gone; Father Van Ne.st of the Presby- 
terian church was also dead ; Father Fargo of the Baptist church 
was far awa}-. It was a sad thought to the speaker, that so many 
others have gone to their rest. Of the 18 superintendents of those 
Sunday .schools, only three are living. The roll call shows, that 
there were 1500 .scholars at that time and few of the teachers 
remain. Mr. Conover said, he was glad to have had the opportu- 
nity to be present, for it would probably be the last time he should 
see the faces of those present. He was rapidly approaching his 
allotted time on earth." 

Mr. Conover, exhibited the original music leaflets, that he had 
introduced in Western New York, for the use of Sunday .school 
pupils, at the time referred to, 40 years ago." 



Singing by the Quartette and Audience : America. 



'ONONDAGA COUNTY, -OF WHICH ROML'LU.S I-IRST 
I^ECAME A TOWN." 

Responded to by Hon. Wm. W. Van Brocklin, of Pompey, as 
follows : 
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : 

I come from your sister town of Pompey, organized in 1794, 
in old Onondaga, the parent County, and I extend to you, upon 
this centennial day, the greetings of Pompey to Romulus, organ- 
ized the same year, where the first meeting of the Board of Super- 
\'isors of old Onondaga was held, Mo.ses DeWitt, then serving as 
vSupervi.sor for the town of Pompe}'. Representing Onondaga 



CKNTJvNNIAL OK KO.AIUI.US. 9 1 



County, also organized in 1794, and having recently celebrated in 
magnificent manner, her centennial, 1 l)ring \ou joyful greetings 
of the parent count}-, to her daughter, the County of Seneca, 
organized ten years later, nestled up here between these beautiful 
lakes, Cayuga on your eastern border, which furnishes the cooling 
ice for these melting days, and the ever fluid vSeneca, winter 
and summer, washing your western shore. This is a rich and 
fertile rural county, aptly termed "the garden of the Kmpire 
State," to lose which, Onondaga lost her brightest jewel. I con- 
gratulate you, that you have even more firmly adhered to and 
more 'sacredly cherished, the priceless franchises handed down to 
us by the fathers of one hundred years ago, than the parent 
county. The extremes of wealth and poverty are more clearly 
marked in the parent count}-, with her wealth of rural homes and 
her magnificent city, filled with varied industries where wealth 
and povert}- abound, while throughout your borders, less pinching 
poverty and a more modest degree of wealth prevail, yet yielding 
an equal if not greater degree of happiness and contentment. 

One hundred years ago, these then outskirts of civilization, 
were sparsely inhabited, by a class of citizens of the highest type 
of integrity, fresh from the battle fields of the Revolution, or their 
immediate descendants, having achieved their independence, and 
established a government recognizing the sovereignty of the 
people. They believed that sovereign power should be endowed 
with wisdom and purity of life and character. Hence the pio- 
neers of old Onondaga, early established good schools for the 
general diffusion of knowledge, and cliurches to teach the Divine 
precepts of Christianity. 

Nor should we now forget, that after one hundred years, we 
are component parts of a mighty nation, that for industry, inven- 
tive genius and the accumulation of wealth, stands unrivalled in 
the annals of mankind ; that this condition was made possible by 
the wisdom and sagacity of the heroes of '76; that the ideas of 
equality and sovereignt}-, gave the a.ssurance, that every man, be 
he strong or weak, should enjoy the fruits of his labor, furnishing 
both a motive and an impulse, to level the forests, to build up 
happy homes, to acquire knowledge, fortune and fame. 



92 CENTKNNIAL OP ROMULUS. 



What series of historical events led up to results so moment- 
ous and far reaching, so pregnant with possibilities, conducive to 
the welfare and happiness of mankind ? It is the old, old story of 
the common people, plebeians they were called in Roman history, 
ever struggling upward to the light, ever assisted by a class of 
patricians, who believe in the brotherhood of man. How sacredly 
our fathers of one hundred years ago, adhered to the doctrine of 
Sovereignty may be learned from their manner of voting. In the 
town of Pompey, which was but a counterpart of other localities, 
at town elections, from the organization of the town up to 1800, 
the will of the majority was expressed by a "viva voce" vote, or 
by passing around the hat. Each voter fearlessly, with a conscious 
dignity of character and purity ofpurpo.se, expressed his sovereign 
will. No attempts at bribery were thought of, nor would the\' 
have been tolerated. 

From 1800 up to 1842, elections were held upon three consec- 
utive days, the inspectors going from hamlet to hamlet, in the 
town, receiving the votes of the electors, which were deposited in 
ballot boxes, and upon the closing day counted, with jealous care, 
honestly expressing the will of free, unpurchased ,so\'ereignty. 
The same faithful observance of this sacred duty, then prevailed 
throughout our infant Republic. 

While phenomenal improvements have marked the centur}', in 
the application of science and art to every department of material 
progress, it has become a serious question, to what extent, faith in 
the capacity of man for self-gov^ernment, has been shaken, to what 
extent the purity of the elective franchise, the corner stone of this 
immense temple of freedom, has been polluted, to what extent the 
transient powers of the human mind, evidenced in the wealth of 
inventions, c(^ering every department of industry-, contemplating 
which, we are lost in wonder, have created a supreme trust in 
man, and a want of faith in God. 

I submit, whether infidehty is not the supreme evil of the 
liour, including among its withering destructive agents, Socialism, 
Communism, Anarchism and all the obnoxious tendencies, that 
threaten our stability and peace. I contend, that any man who 
buys his neighbor's vote, is a traitor to the fundamental principles 



CENTKNNIAI. OK ROMULUS. 93 



of our government, not fit to be trusted in the counsels of the 

town, count}', state or nation. 

I say further, that no man who has faith in God, and practi- 
ces the precepts of Christianity, will ever bribe his fellow man, be 
he ever so ob.scure, or sell his own vote or influence. All Repub- 
lics, have passed through various crises. It was so with Greece, 
justly called "The L,and of Scholars and the Nurse of Arms." 
First, she established a free government. Second, she successfully 
resisted foreign enemies. Thirdly, she subdued internal strife and 
contention, but when the fourth crisis was upon her, the wither- 
ing blight of public and private virtue, the demoralizing influence 
of venality, of bribery and plundering corruption, internal strife, 
fanned by the jealousy of contending states, revived, and the elo- 
quence of her brightest sons failed to arrest the tide of destruction. 

Then, 

" lyibert}' from Greece withdrew, 
" And o'er the Adriatic flew." etc. 

An experience like Greece, was the fate of Rome. For two 
hundred years, the plebeians struggled for recognition, finding 
powerful allies among the patricians. From the reign of Servius 
Tullius, the sixth and last king of Rome, of obscure plebeian ori- 
gin, who inaugurated reforms which finally culminated in the Re- 
public, the development of an advanced civilization was slow but 
sure. A Republic was established. Under Fabius, Pompey, 
Scipio Africanus, and other renowned Military and Civic leaders, 
all foreign enemies were subdued. 

The world paid tribute to the power of Rome. ' Her eagles 
glanced in the rising and setting sun." The supreme protection 
of her people, was the simple statement, ' T am a citizen of Rome. 
Resistance to her decrees at home, was easily subdued. But 
Rome boasting a civilization and power transcending the highest 
hopes of her most devoted worshipers, could not withstand the de- 
caying, corroding influence developed in the fourth crisis, that has- 
tened her destruction. Her public men became corrupt. They 
farmed out the revenues and for the sake of wealth became de- 
bauched and effeminate, revehng in the lap of luxury. They 



94 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



supported a mercenary soldier}'. They forgot God. The result 
was what it ever will be, where the people who may be independ- 
ent, sell their dearest franchises, to wealth and power, and become 
abject slaves to the masters who bought them, occasionally indulg- 
ing in spasmodic strikes, to regain their lost liVjerties. 

We now turn to a more encouraging theme. The principles 
of civil and religious liberty, were not lost in the chaotic conditions 
that followed, but occasionally cropped out, notably in emphatic 
measure, when the English barons and common people, wrenched 
from the unwilling King John, in the beginning of the thirteenth 
century, the Magna Charta. From that day, to the present, has 
been an era of progress, culminating in the establishment of our 
own glorious Republic. We have subdued all foreign foes, with 
whom a conflict has been waged. We have overcome domestic 
rebellion, unequaled, within the scope of authentic history. And 
now we have entered upon the fourth crisis, from which, may we 
hope to emerge disenthralled and purified, for a higher and nobler 
national life ! To achieve a victory in this stage of our national 
existence, an ordeal more trying than civil war, will require the 
combined efforts of all the good and pure. Danger signals are to 
be seen on every hand. Among them, I note the alarming in- 
crease of organized bands of robbers, taking for their example the 
ambitious, venal demagogues, who prostitute the elective fran- 
chise to elevate themselves into the counsels of the state and 
nation, for the purpose of depleting the treasury, or taking advan- 
tage of their position to enact unequal laws. 

Then again, we see the humiliating spectacle of free men en- 
tering a temporary prison, (the voting booth), to prepare their 
ballots, free from the interference of bribers. Still again, we he^r 
of a multiplicity of investigating committees involving enormous 
expense, to investigate the conduct of public officials, municipal, 
state and national. Why the necessity for all these things? Who 
ever heard of a committee to investigate the conduct of George 
Washington, or any other pure man, who regarded official position, 
as a public trust ? I hope to live, to see the day, when the awak- 
ened indignation of the American people, will stay the increasing 
tide of j^oUution ; when the re-asserted independence of our land, 



CENTENNIAL OF K0MI;IATS. 95 



may be emphasized, with bonfii'es arid ilkiminations, upon some 
anniversary of our nation's birth, kindled by these voting booths, 
throughout our land, when none shall be found so mercenary as 
to bu>- his fellow man, and none so base as to sell his manhood. 

But I hear the the welcome cry of reform, and although it is a 
shame and a disgrace, to the intelligence and civilization of the 
age, that there should be a necessity for reform, while yet in the 
infancy of our national life, it may be regarded as the harbinger of 
\-ictory. And this brings me to the beautiful simile, addressed to 
the children before me, from this platform, by Col. Sanford, and 
which 1 most heartily endorse, comparing their pure young minds, 
to a spotless sheet of pure white paper, upon which nothing should 
be written, unless it bears the stamp of wisdom, purity and truth. 
Then will there be no necessit}^ for reform, and upon you dear, 
innocent children, with the millions of your age, throughout this 
magnificent heritage, for happy homes, will soon rest the fearful^ 
yet 1 hope welcome, re.sponsibility of preserving the blessings of a 
free government, for ages yet to come. 

You, are emphatically the hope of the nation. Study then 
thoroughly, the theor}' of our government and the paternal advice 
of the pure and unselfish Washington, in his farewell address, the 
eloquent words for the integrit}- of our Union, from the fearless 
and intrepid Jackson, the burning words of admonition and advice, 
from the eloquent Story and Webster. Make a thorough analysis 
of the rocks upon which Republics have hitherto stranded, and as 
our glorious ship of state, guided by a crew, having for its motto, 
"Wisdom, purity and truth," .shall glide down the .stream of time, 
let not the rocks of error and .skeptical delusion, arrest your pro- 
gress, for the}' will crumble beneath the omnipotent power of 
truth, and still onward may you sail, a light to the world,* a joy to 
the oppressed, a sanctuary for the equal rights of mankind. 

Then, may he, who at the distance of another century shall 
stand here, to celebrate tiiis day, still look around upon a free, 
happy, virtuous and contented people. May he have rea.son to 
exult, with still greater confidence, than we do. May he with all 



96 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



the enthusiasm of truth, as well as of poetry, exclaim, that here is 
still his countrx' : 

"Zealous, 3'et modest : innocent, though free; 
Patient of toil ; vSereue amidst alarms ; 
Inflexible in faith ; invincible in arms." ' 



•'OViD, THE TWIN SHTER OF ROMULUS." 

Response b}' Hon. William C. Hazelton. The Executive 
Committee regrets that no copy v.as furnished for publication. 



".SCHOOLS, TEACHERS, AND SCHOOL HOUSES, 
OF THE OLDEN TIME." 

Responded toby Rev. N. A. Depew, of Canoga, as follows : 
Mr. Chairman, Gentlemen and Ladies : 

Please look at me, for I doubt if another in this vast audience 
can sa}- as I can : It is seventy-six years last spring, when at five 
years of age, I entered a common school as a pupil. From then 
until over thirty years of age I was in school, either as pupil or 
teacher, every year but one. The common school therefore, is mj- 
' 'alma mate?-. ' ' 

The School Houses : These were plain buildings, often cov- 
ered with wide unplaned boards, instead of narrow clapboards. 
The door was at one corner, leading into a large entry, the chim- 
ney separating it from the opposite corner where was another 
small room, opening into the school-room. Both of these were 
used as a depo.sitory for the children's wraps, the boys in the outer 
room, tilt girls in the inner room. 

The school-room was heated, b}^ a large fire place in this chim- 
ney, which in cold weather was filled with wood, and even then 
the little ones suffered with cold feet. "Please may I go to the 
fire?" was heard all the morning hours of a cold da}', and often 
the teachers allowed the scholars to go to the fire in sections or 
classes. Stoves were not known then, even churches had no fires 



CENTICNNIAI, OK KOMILUS 97 



in them, but all drew their wraps about them ami listened in ^nim 
endurance to the sermon. 

The Scats : These were rude benches made of slabs, A^'ith 
the desks next the wall, or the seats next the wall, extending' 
around three sides of the room, with openings to admit the pupils 
to their seats. Smaller benches or lower, were in front for the 
little fellows, sometimes of slabs and moveable. 

T/ie Teachos : In winter a male teacher was employed, often 
some aspiring" swain, who contemplated a professional life, and 
used the.se pedagogical steps to aid him in his ri.se in the cho.sen 
path. In summer a lady teacher, usually some farmer's daughter, 
whose qualitications to teach only the elementary ])ranches, were 
desired. 

The.se qualifications, were not always of the highest order. 
The male teachers taught Arithmetic, Geography, and an occa- 
sional pupil ni Grammar. Nor was he required to be very pro- 
ficient in any of these, if in figures he could go as far as the Rule of 
Three, or Simple Interest, it was fully satisfactory. Said one of 
these teachers to me, whom I succeeded in Westchester county, 
N. Y., in 1838 : "I am not great in figures, but with the key to 
Daboll's Arithmetic, I got along very well." 

The T^xt Books : The elementaries, were Dilvvorth's vSpell- 
ing book, Webster's Kasy Standard, for the letters and learning 
to spell. Geographies: Malte-Brun's large work, more like a his- 
tory ; Morse's, which was more condensed, and Willett's. The 
latter was the most popular book. Arithmetics, were Daboll's and 
Pike's, but generally the former only. Willett's Geography, alone- 
had maps, but all were rough outlines of the boundaries of the 
different countries and divisions of the earth. The bouuvlaries 
were included in the text l)ooks, with the chief towns, capital 
cities, and principal rivers. About 1825, Woodbridge's Geogra- 
phy with painted maps appeared. 

Methods of teaching : Of course, the a, b, c's, were first, 
then a,b, abs , and when the child could put two .syllables together 
and form a word, as Ba-ker, baker, it was a proud da\' to the little 
fellow. It was required of all to read all the spelling lessons in 



98 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



the primary book, before they were allowed to read sentences. So 

they began with "Baker" and closed with "Michilimackinac," 
pronounced Mackinaw, as a note in the margin informed us. 
Then came the first reading lesson : "No man ma}' put off the law 
of God." The New Testament was the next book, and all the 
school read in it, in the morning reading lessons: especially the 
Gospels. In the afternoon, the old books of a previous age used, 
were the Columbian Orator, American Preceptor and the Old Eng- 
lish Reader. No small books for the little 'ones ; no hard lesson 
broken up, like nuts cracked for the children, but they were left 
to dig and delve literally, through the larger works to learn any- 
thing. Murray's Enghsli Grammar, was studied by a few only, 
and this was taught, by havinj; the child commit to memory the 
whole theor\-, before he applied a rule, or knew what grammar 
meant. Oh! the heartaches of the pupils, and the tears unbidden 
which fell from their eyes, in their efforts to master verbs, nouns, 
pronouns, cases and tenses, in all these studies, the pupils recited 
alone, each learned all he could and the teacher listened to the re- 
petion of all, day by day. Ah, we remember the task ! In the 
early part of this centur\', as we were told b}' our venerable parent, 
there was only one copy of Arithmetic in school, and that was 
owned by the teacher, who put the problem on the slate and had 
the scholar work it out and return to him for inspection. 

Writing, was attended to at a given time in the day and the 
scholars were required to lay aside all study for it. The 
writing books were matle of foolscap paper, the sheets doubled 
lengthwise and the teacher set the cop}'. It was no small task to 
do this part of the work. "Please mend my pen," was heard all 
over the school-room, for some teachers required the pupils to 
throw the quill pen out on the floor, and he picked it up, asking 
"Whose pen is this?" An ability to make a good pen, was an 
essential part of 'a teacher's qualifications and he must show his 
skill at the work, in his examination. vSystem was demanded in 
all things. 

Govermncnt : The government of the school was arbitrary, 
positively despotic. The teacher, an ab.solute monarch, from the 
time the child left home till it returned to that home again. The 



CKNTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 99 



first impression sought by the teacher, was to make the pupil iear 
him. No lamiHarily was ever allowed. 

Deportment : Obsequiousness, best describes the deportment 
demanded. As the .scholars entered the school-room, they 
must make their obeisance to the teacher, adding the compliments 
of the hour, especially if the school had begun, and also in Hke 
maimer, as they retired at the close of school. The closing had 
much form and ceremony. One pupil was required, on each 
side of the room, to bring from the closets the wraps of each 
scholar, and holding one up, would ask, "Who.se hat is this? 
Whose shawl is this?" and so on till all were distrilnited and each 
arranged for going home. Then they began near the door and 
retired in the order in which they .sat, and turning around facing 
the school, made a graceful bow, or the young miss a courtesy, 
with "Good afternoon, teacher." On their way home or coming 
to school, if they met their seniors, the lad uncovered his head 
and made a bow, and the young miss, her courtesy, and all this at 
the peril of due punishment next morning, if not done. Obedi- 
ence and respect to superiors, were regarded as the true foundations 
of a good character. 

Finally, the common school, is the great University of America, 
home the recitation room, and our mothers and sisters, our tutors. 
Our Puritan fathers reared the school-houses next the humble 
churches, placing the teacher of their children next in honor with 
the beloved pastor. Long may this our university both tliri\-e 
and rule ! 



"SCHOOLS, TEACHERS AND SCHOOL HOLSES, 
OF THE PRESENT TIME." 

Responded to by vSchool Commis.sioner Francis S. Godfrey, of 
Waterloo, as folio w^s : 
Mr. PrEvSIDEnt : 

I have been requested to respond to the sentiment, "The 
Common Schools of To-day." 

We judge of things by comparison. The comparison must be 
made between objects of the .same kind. We cannot say, this is a 



CENTKNNIAI. OF ROMUIA^S. 



larj^e or a small orange, if we compare it with a pumpkin. In order 
to present the Common School of to-day in its proper light, it will 
be necessar}' to compare it with the school of the past, and note its 
gradual growth. 

This State was especially fortunate, in having for its first .set- 
tlers, a people who came from a new-born republic, whose strug- 
gles to secure and ability to maintain, were the direct outgrowth 
of the general education of its citizens. 

From the very first, the .settlers placed the .school among the 
necessities, and education became a synonym for liberty. An 
early writer says of them : "Neither the perils of war, nor the bu.sy 
pursuit of gain, nor the excitement of political strife, ever caused 
the Dutch to neglect the dut}' of educating their offspring, to enjoy 
that freedom for which their fathers fought. ' ' With such a foun- 
dation, it is not strange that the Empire State holds first rank in 
the Ihiion. 

Legislation : L,et us glance briefly at legislation. As early 
as 1630, in the Charter of Privileges the necessity of the school 
was recognized. 

In 1649 when petitioning the State's General, they recom- 
mended that two good ma.sters be sent over, "so that first of all, ni 
so wild a countr}^ where there are so many loose people, the youth 
be well taught and brought up, not onl\' in reading and writing, 
but also in the knowledge and fear of the Lord." 

The first legislative act was passed in 1702. The schoolmas- 
ter under this act, was to be an "able, skillful and orthodox 
person." In 1784, a Board of Regents was established. In 1795, 
$So,ooo for live years, was appropriated. From 1800 to 1821, 
$100,000 was annually raised by lotteries. In 1836, New York 
State received $4,000,000, U. S. Deposit Fund. First Normal 
vSchool established in 1844. 

In 1848, free schools were e.stablished throughout the State. 
In 1867, the odious rate bill was dropped. In 1854, a Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction was elected by joint ballot of Legislature. 
County School Commissioners created in 1856. 

Amount of public moneys expended in 1825, $161,340, with 



CKNTKNNIAU OV KOMUI.US. lOI 



anattendanceof 420,000 scholars; in 1892. $18,203,988, attendance, 

1,073,093- 

Ttaclicrs : Adam Roelantsen, the schoohnaster, was among 
the early settlers. vSalary not stated. In 1659, Carolus Curtius 
was sent from Holland. vSalary $200, and city of New Amster- 
dam gave him f 80 more, with permission to practice medicine. 

Licenses: The act of 1702 set forth, that no person act as a 
schoolmaster, until he brought a certificate, whether single or 
married, age, temper, prudence, learning", conversation, zeal for 
religion. He was examined b>- word or writing, in reading, 
writing and the catechism of the church. 

In return for the.se attainments, he received board and from 
$25 to $30 per year. For years after the Revolution, he was looked 
upon as a necessary pauper. No wonder he says, " 'Tis little 
they pays me, and little I teaches 'em." 

Indians : The education of the Indian, is not of recent origin 
and the results obtained in 1650, compare favorably with those of 
to-day. Dominie Megapolensis wrote to the Classis, that one Ind- 
ian had made such progress in school in two years, that he could 
read and write good Dutch. He was given a biljle, in order that 
some good might be done to the Indians through him. Later, the 
Dominie wrote, "It all resulted in nothing; he has taken to 
drinking brandy ; he pawned the bible and became a real beast, 
doing more harm than good among the Indians." 

Duties of Sclioolmasters : The records of Flatbush, now a 
part of Brooklyn, recount some of the duties of the schoolmaster, 
in addition to teaching — town clerk, sexton, fore-singer, to ring the 
bell for all pubhc services, read the Commandments in the morn- 
ing, and Apostles Creed in the afternoon. 

Until near the close of the Revolution, no woman's name ap- 
pears on the records, as a teacher. La.st year, 27,408 taught .some 
part of the legal school year. vSuperintendent Rice wrote : "It is 
impossible to over-estimate the value of the influence thus brought 
to bear upon the daily developing mind and character in our schools. 
To teach and train the young, seems to be one of the chief mis- 
sions of woman. Herself high-minded, the minds of those with 



I02 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 

whom she comes in daily contact, unconsciously aspire. Gentle 
herself, she renders them gentle. Pure herself, she renders them 
pure. The fire which truly refines the ore of character, can only 
be kindled b}- her hand. ' ' 

Compulsory Education : If the State compels us to pay taxes 
for the education of all children, should it not compel all children 
to attend school ? I am looking for good results from the new 
Compulsory Education law of 1894. It now has a penalty at- 
tached — the withholding of public school moneys, for neglect to 
enforce its provisions. 



.SENFXA COUNTY " POMONA GRANGE PATRON.S 
OF HUSBANDRY." 

Responded to b}' W. M., Andrew J. Bartlett, Esq., of Rom- 
ulus, a grand-.son of Haynes Bartlett, the Revuoltionary patriot 
and pioneer, as follows : 
Mr. President: 

To me has been assigned the honor of responding to the sen- 
timent, "Seneca County Pomona Grange Patrons of Husbandry." 
I cannot better do this, than by giving the inception, objects, prin- 
ciples, and purposes of the Grange. 

The order of "Patrons of Husbanlry" or the "Grange" as 
the order is generally called, was instituted Dec. 4th, 1867. 

In 1866, President Andrew Johnson directed O. H. Kelly of 
the Bureau of Agriculture at Wa.shington, to make a tour of the 
Southern States and report upon their agricultural and mineral 
resources. This tour awakened in Bro. Kelly's mind the helpless 
condition of the farming interest, not only of the South but of the 
whole country, and he conceived a plan which embraced the union 
of the farmers of the entire country, for social and educational 
purposes, as well as for the protection of their interests. Its grand 
objects, are not only general improvement in husbandrj^ but to in- 
crease the general happiness, wealth and prosperity of the country. 
It is founded upon the axioms, that the products of the soil com- 
prise the basis of all wealth ; that individual happiness depends 



CKNTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. I03 



Upon general prosperity ; and that the wealth of a countr}- depends 
upon the general intelligence, and mental culture ol" the producing 
classes. 

Women are admitted to full membership, and we solicit the 
co-operation of woman, because of a conviction that without her 
aid, success will be less certain and decided. Much might be .said 
in this connection, but every husband and brother knows, that 
when he can be accompanied by his wife or sister, no lesson will 
be learned but tho.se of purity and truth. 

We ignore all pohtical or religious discussions in the order : 
we do not sohcit the patronage of any sect, association, or individ- 
ual, upon any grounds whatever, except upon the intrin.sic merits 
of the order. 

We wage no aggressive warfare against any interest whatever. 
W^e are not enemies to capital, but we oppose the tyranny of mo- 
noplies. We long to see the antagonism between capital and labor 
removed, by common consent, and by an enlightened statesman- 
ship, worthy of the nineteenth century. We are opposed to ex- 
cessive salaries, high rates of interest, and we believe that all 
property should bear its just proportion of taxation. 

We are opposed to such spirit and management of any corpor- 
ation or enterprise, as tends to oppres\s the people and rob them of 
the just profits of their labor. In our order there is no communism 
or agrarianism. 

It is not a political or party organization, yet the principles 
we teach, underhe all true politics, all true statesmanship, and if 
properly carried out, will tend to purify the whole political atmos- 
phere of our country, for we seek the greatest good to the greatest 
number. 

We acknowledge the broad principle, that difference of opin- 
ion is no crime, and hold that progress toward truth, is made by 
difference of opinion. We desire proper equahty, equity and fair- 
ness, justly distributed burdens, and justly distributed powers. 

These ideas, are the very essence of American independence : 
to advocate the contrary, is unworthy the sons and daughters of 
an American republic. Agriculture is the parent and precursor of 



I04 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



all arts, and its products, the foundation of all wealth. Our work 
is for the present and the future. 

In our agricultural brotherhood and its purposes, we shall 
recognize no North, no South, no East, no West, but with fidelity 
tD our order, we endorse the n.otto: "In Essentials Unit}', in 
Non-Essentials Liberty, in all things Charity." 

Thus united, by the strong and faithful tie of agriculture, we 
mutually resolve, to labor for the good of onr order, our country 
and mankind. 



Singing by the Quartette : "The Old Oaken Bucket." 



"EARLY RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS OF ROMULUS- 
THK BAPTIST CHURCH. " 

Responded to by Julius F. Hunt, Esq., as follows : 
Mr. President : 

The Romulus Baptist Church, was constituted in 1795, the 
first organized body of believers between the Eakes, Seneca and 
Cayuga, to take the Baptist name. The church had seven constitu- 
ent members, and their first meetings were held in a log house, 
not far from the place where now stands the residence of the late 
Dr. N. W. Folwell. The early records of this church, unfortuna- 
tely have been destroj-ed and we are indebted to tradition and the 
memories of the older members, for many of the items of interest 
which have been preserved. The church in 1796 belonged to the 
Chemung Association, in 1804 to Cayuga, in 18 13 again joined Che- 
mung and in 1820 was dismissed to unite with the Seneca Associ- 
ation, to which it still belongs. Among the early members of the 
church were, John Green, John Finton, Samuel Blain, Elijah 
Abbott, William W. F'olwell, Barnabus Swarthout, Mahlon Bain- 
bridge, Mrs. BLiin, Mrs. Bainbridge, Mrs. John Sayre, Mrs. 
Swarthout, Mrs. Denton. Without a doubt the following are the 
names of the early pastors of this church, to the time when date 



CKNTICNNIAL OF KOMri.rs. lO^ 



can be given, and in the order which they served, tlie dateof tlieir 
terms being uncertain : First, Kphraini vSanford, then Roswell 
Goff, Peter Bainbridge, A. Bainbridge, Jehiel Wisner, John Ca- 
ton, Thomas Brown, James C. Barrett. In 1797, the church had 14 
members. In 1802, it had 68 members; Elder Jehiel Wisner then 
being pastor, the me.ssengers were Samuel Simpson, William 
Brewster, Mahlon Bainbridge, N. Sutton, A. Miller. The messen- 
gers in 1H13, were Elder Caton, and Isaiah Butler. Other delegates 
before 1820, were Silas Beers, Deacons Green and Finton, Solomon 
Moore. John Caton, became pastor in 1808. He was a soldier of 
the Revolution, a member of Washington's Body Guard, and in 
his time, one of the most noted characters in Seneca County. As 
near as can be learned, the first church, which stood where the 
church now stands, was begun in 1807 or 180S. For a number of 
years, services were held therein, during the warm weather onl}', 
and at private houses during winter. The church was finished in 
June, 1825. 

July I, 1820, the church voted to receive J. C. Barrett by 
letter, also called on him to use his gift in preaching the gospel for 
the church and congregation for one year. He remained tmtil 
Oct. 16, 182 1. John C. Holt having graduated at Hamilton in 
June, was ordained as pastor of the church, Oct. 20, i826.Wm. W. 
Brown was called to be pastor June 1 , 182S. During his five years 
pastorate, 84 were added to tiie church by baptism. Elder Nathan 
Otis, became pastor early in 1S34. In May 1836, Samuel M. Bain- 
bridge was recommended b\- the church to enter the Institution at 
Hamilton. Elder Otis' ministry was blessed wath the revival spirit, 
more than 80 joining the church during his pastorate. He re- 
signed April 7, 1838. The pulpit was supplied for a time by S. M. 
Bainbridge. C. G. Carpenter succeeded Elder Otis. U. B. Miller 
followed as supph'. David Wright followed, term 4 years : after 
which Obed Sperry served the church less than two years. Lsaac 
Fargo became pastor in May 1849 and his labors were greath' 
blessed. He was a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. 

The church edifice was rebuilt during his ministry at an expense 
of$2,50o,and the building was turned to face the east, instead of south 
the gallery which surrounded the audience roonj was taken away, 



Io6 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



giving place to the present pleasant room above stairs and the lec- 
ture room below. Elder Fargo baptized nearl}' loo converts and 
the church has ever looked back to this period as its golden age ; 
at this time John Griffith, B. vS. McLafferty and S. V. Marsh were 
licensed. Two comparatively short pastorates followed, J. S. 
Webber and Peter Irving. The latter was privileged to baptize 50 
Ijelievers. M. W. Holmes, was the pastor next in .succession, his 
labors continued from i860 to 1867. vSeventy-nine united with 
the church while he was pastor. D. D. Owen, the next pastor, 
remained with the church five years He was ordained here in 
1867. Geo. T. McNair accepted a call to the pastorate in March 
1873, remaining two years In June 1875, L,ouis J. Gross was 
engaged to supply the pulpit ; Jan. Lst, 1876, he was called as 
pastor; March 1876, he was ordained. He remained with the 
church .seven years, when R. B. Stanton came to the field and 
labored here four years. He was succeeded by Geo. Oliver, who 
remained until 1890. Then the church called Rev. P. F. Ogden 
as pastor, and in 1894 he gave place to Rev. Frank LeBar, wdio is 
the present pastor. Thus making the number of pastors 27, since 
the church was organized. Much might be said, of the individual 
work of these ministers of the gospel while connected with this 
church, the present membership holding in high esteem the mem- 
ories of many of them. To know that Rev. Isaac Fargo is still 
living at Des Moines, la., will be an interesting item to many. 
The church feels a special interest in those who have gone out from 
it, to work for the Master in other fields, as pastors and teachers 
Samuel M. Bainbridge, converted here, went out as a Minister of the 
Gospel, and died a few years since in Elmira, N. Y. Dr. John 
Griffith, now of Detroit, Mich., S. V. Marsh, of Monongahela 
City, Pa., J. Nelson Eewis, Ann Arbor, Mich., Barney S. Mc- 
Lafferty, Tacoma, Wash., and as teacher. Miss Lisle Bainbridge, 
who has been engaged \vith Rev. and Mrs. J. L,. Nevius in China. 
The church has always been self-supporting, maintaining a 
highly benevolent spirit, many thousands of dollars having been 
given to various objects. The land on which the church stands 
was donated to the society by Mr. W. W. Folwell. The site for 
the parsonage was donated by Joseph Hunt. The parsonage was 
built in 1855. 



CENTlvNNIAL Ol' ROAIITLItS. I07 



The church is looking forward to celebrating its looth anni- 
versary in June, 1S95, when a fuller and more complete histor\' 
will be compiled and ]n-esented. 



" THl-; l>RKS15V'rKRIA\ CHURCH." 
Response by Rev. J. Wilford Jacks. 
Mr. Prp:sident and pRiKNns Asskmblkd : 

\\"e are passing through a period of centennials and anniver- 
saries, in fact this might truthfully be termed the "anniversary 
age." This anniversary spirit reached its climax in the Colum- 
bian Exposition, the whole world uniting in it. 

With profound gratitude in our hearts, we may exclaim, 
"Hitherto hatli the Lord helped us." History is inspiring. The 
past century is especially" stimulating to the thoughtful. Methu- 
saleh could have attended nine centennials, we are fortunate in 
attending one. But the centennials Methusaleh attended were ex- 
tremel}- common -place affairs. I would rather attend the Romu- 
lus centennial than the entire nine, Methusaleh witnessed. A cen- 
tury now marks more advance in science, art, human thought and 
action than ten centuries at some earlier periods. The past cen- 
tur}' has been one of bustling activity, organization, getting ready 
to do the Lord's work. Great things have been committed to us; 
are we worthy to undertake them. To-daj' as I have heard the, 
names recalled, how I wish those men could respond to the roll- 
call and appear before us, those plain, sturdy, truth-loving, 
godly. Sabbath-keeping pioneers. 

I need not repeat the story our capable historian has told so 
well: but to our theme: "The Presbyterian Church of Romulus." 
In 1790 John Fleming removed to this town from Pennsylvania. 
Then there were only ten or twelve white families between the 
lakes. He was a man of exemplar}- piety and with him the relig- 
ious history of the town commenced. His home was the home of 
the Missionary, the place of public worship. He sought out ever}' 
Christian who came to this region and encouraged him to unite 
with him in worship. He gathered the children together and 



Io8 dENTENNIAL OF ROMtfttTg. 



taught them the Shorter Catechism on Sabbath afternoons. Thus 
he laid a train of influences which led to the organization of a 
church. 

vSoon the Dunlaps, Wilsons, and Wartons, settled a little 
southwestof Ovid village, and the McKnights, McMaths, Lowdens, 
and Barrs, came in from Pennsylvania, and settled on the shores 
of Seneca L,ake. These were all strong Presbyterians. Says Rob- 
ert Fleming, son of John : "One Henry Beers came in from New 
Jersey, and once while hunting the cows I passed his cabin and 
heard him praying. I was surprised for I did not know any 
man in town praj-ed except my father. Soon father found him 
out and they began religious services together, reading sermons 
with prayer and praise." The first Presbyterian minister who 
came here was Rev. Daniel Thatcher, of Virginia, sent out by the 
General Assembly of 1795. He was a hardy looking man and 
wore a round crown hat with a broad brim, set up in triangular 
fashion, a military hat without a feather. His erect bearing 
showed him to have been a soldier, no doubt a chaplain in Wash- 
ington's army. He collected the people in 1796 and formed a 
Presbyterian church. John Fleming, Alia McMath, Henry War- 
ton and a gentleman from Ovid being the first elders. They en- 
joyed at least one communion. Through .some informality, the 
organization was soon discontinued ; John Fleming and Henry 
Warton died and so no further steps were taken, until 1800. For 
the above mentioned communion, wine was obtained from Geneva, 
but it having no color, the merchant told the purchaser to color it 
with the juice of wild grapes, so plenty in the woods. Missionary 
John L,ind.sley came in 1800, sent out by the General Assembly, 
also Licentiates Slemmonsand Patterson in 1798, and Rev. Robert 
lyOgan in 1799 ; also Rev's. TenEj'ck and Brokaw of the Re- 
formed church. One of the young evangelists left his horse at Mr. 
Fleming's, and taking one of his, started for Geneva. In at- 
tempting to cross the outlet of Seneca lake by fording, he and the 
horse parted company, both swam out, but on opposite sides of 
the stream. The young minister walked on to Geneva, and met 
a cool reception there. His only bed a bench, and he lay in his 
wet clothes all night. Next day he returned to Mr. Fleming's 



CENTENNIAI, OF ROIMULU.S. lOg 



and told him thej- did not seem to want any preaching in Geneva. 
The first settlers of that town were not religiously inclined. 

A few Presbyterian families settled in North Romulus, now 
Fayette, and organized a church therein iSoi. L,and was appro- 
priated for a parsonage and cemetery. A log church was com- 
menced, but Germans from Pennsylvania came in and purchased 
their lands and this organization lapsed. 

The present Presbyterian chinch of Romulus, was organized 
April 4th, 1S02, by Rev. Jedediah Chapman, who also organized 
the First Presbyterian church of Geneva, also the 0\id church in 
1803. This is the oldest Presbyterian organization in the county 
of Seneca. At its origin it was connected with the S3'nod of 
Albany. At the outset without expecting any Home Mission or 
Church Erection help, the people planted Christian institutions and 
God's ministers went from hamlet to hamlet, planting churches 
and gathering in Christ's scattered children. The church was or- 
ganized in that old red house which many of us remember, stood 
on the Depue farm, a mile south of this village. There were 
fourteen [members, viz: Alia McMath, Jesse Brewster, .Henry 
Beers, Peter Huff, Frederic Boganoar, James McKnight, Alclie 
Huff, Elizabeth A'anCourt, Catharine Stottle, Sarah Karr, Mabel 
McMath, Hannah McKnight, Jane McKnight, and Rachel Brews- 
ter. Alia McMath, Hetny Beers, and Jesse Brewster were or- 
dained elders. 

This church was one of the constituent members of the Pres- 
bytery of Geneva at its first meeting Sept. 17, 1805. The society 
was incorporated April 6, 1S07. John Fleming, Jr., Henry Gard- 
ner, Samuel McMath, Silas Allen, John Terhune and Jacob Low- 
den were the first trustees. The trustees, the day of their elec- 
tion were authorized to select a suitable site for a house of worship. 
This was not easy for there were so many conflicting interests. 
Prominent families from both lakes and from Ovid to Fayette, be- 
longed to the society. Half of the Board of Trustees lived on or 
near the shore of Seneca lake. But with a self-sacrificing spirit 
and by the wisdom of God, they .selected the spot on yonder ceme- 
tery hill. The site, as well as the burial ground was the gift of 



no CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



Henry Depue, whose daughter, Mrs. Mar}' Monroe, is still 
living, having been for 67 years a menilier of this church, her 
name now standing first on the roll. 

Then there was no \-illage of Romulus, not even a postoffice 
here, until 1S25,. when it was moved here from the John Sayre 
place on Seneca lake. There were only two or three log hou.ses 
here, and a log school house where the Hinkley House now stands, 
and the children played in the thick woods opposite. 

From 1S02 to 1807 there were occasional services held in 
private houses, barns and school houses. In the absence of a pas- 
tor, sermons were read. Man}- dated their conversion to the occa- 
sional visits of the missionary. Augu.st i8th, 1H07, Presbytery 
convened to ordain and install Mr. Charles Mosher. The services 
were held in the grove near the old red house. Having no temple 
made with hands, the solemn stillness of the forest was broken b\' 
the voice of prayer uttering the words of consecration. A most 
touching service. A little church leaning on the arm of God. An 
undershepherd sent to watch over, feed and instruct the flock, and 
in the leafy temple, no l)arrier between man and Jehovah, pastor 
and people mutually pledged themselves to each other in the Lord. 
The church then had only 27 members, and these very poor. .Still 
Mr. Mosher was settled on a salary- of ^^300, and the original own- 
er of the section appropriated one hundred acres of land to the firjt 
settled minister of this church, and it fell to Mr. Mosher. Thus 
he lived without foreign aid. The wives and daughters of the 
pari.shioners l)rought their spinning wheels and spun their pastor's 
wool, and rumor says, added .some of their own. 

Those were happy daj's. In winter the farmers drew enor- 
mous quantities of wood from the forest, sufficient for the year's 
supply. Some of you have seen those old apple trees which Mr. 
Mosher planted 85 years ago ; a son of his, a clergyman, is now 
living in Los Angeles, Cal. When hb came, efforts were made to 
build a church, but it was not until Oct. 22, 1809, that it was 
dedicated. The pastor preached the sermon founded on Isaiah 
56:7, "For my hou.se .shall be called a house of prayer for all people. ' ' 
The house was not then completed, temporary seats and pulpit 



CKNTENNIAL OF KOMUI.US. Ill 

l)eing- used. Years after they improved the building, but it was 
always a cold house, on a bleak hill side. Foot stoves were used 
in cold weather, the women wore thick woolen hoods and the 
men large red handkerchiefs during service. When bitterl>' cold, 
services were held at Henry Depue's. June iS, iSocj, it is record- 
ed, "f 1-4^ was collected for the education of poor but pious youth 
for the ministry.". 

In iSio the sexton was to have seven dollars a year to take 
care of the meeting house which "he was to wash twice a year, 
and to sweep it once a month." It was ordered that "all the 
preachun done in this town shall be done at the meeting house." 
It was difficult to build the church, there was little moHey, no 
market, and many paid their subscriptions in pork, wheat, and 
corn, the coin of those days. 

The people made great sacrifices to attend church. Women 
walked four and fi\-e miles ; people came on horseback from Fa>-- 
ette. One of the elders, John Williams, lived near Canoga. 
Modern easy carriages were unknown, and the corduroy roads 
would have been too rough for their use. Such men as the Flem- 
ings" brought their own and their neighbois families in large lum- 
ber wagons, not only on the Sabbath, but to prayer meetings. 
Tliev came early in the morning and .stayed until the shades of 
evening crept on. 

The sermons were long but the people did not seem to becoihe 
weary. So regular were those families at church, that it is a legend 
which probably is true, that one Sabbath when the Flemings' were 
providentialh' detained from church, their horses were missed 
from the pasture and for hours could not be found, but finally 
were discovered under the church shed standing as quietly as if 
tied in their accustomed stalls. Not only was the habit of church 
attendance impre.ssed upon the entire household but also upon 
their horses. 

During the seven years of Mr. Mo.sher's mini.stry no were 
added to the church, mosth' converted under his preaching. Mr. 
Mo.sher was well educated, better than most of the ministers of 
that day. The cause which led to his dismi.ssion po.sse.sses his- 



112 CENTENNIAL OF KO:\IULUS. 



toric interest. I have it from one who was a participator in those 
scenes. It was dnring the war of 1S12 ; horsemen were riding 
through the country, rousing the people to guard themselves 
against the British and the Indians. An ardent Federalist, h? 
preached against the government for continuing the war. A fast 
day had been appointed, and services were held at the church. 
Among the audience were many whose sons and fathers were in 
the American army. In his sermon he earnestly opposed the war. 

The people were excited and carried the matter too far, for as 
they left the church the expression "Tory doctrine !"' "Tory doc- 
trine !" was heard on all sides. It is well known that New Eng- 
land opj^osed this war and Mr. Mosher being from that country 
sympathized with its ideas. This people was on the frontier and 
every moment liable to attack, and their property to be destroyed, 
no wonder they were excited, and apprehensive for their firesides 
and their families. 

Both sides were hasty, some of his warm friends turned 
against him and he resigned. After leaving here, he faithfully 
served the churches of Genoa, Clyde, Junius, and Oaks' Corners. 
While at Jj.inius he was invited to preach in Elmira and undertook 
the journey on horseback. On the way he was overtaken by a 
terrible rain storm and could find no shelter until he reached Ire- 
landville, near Watkins, where he dried his clothes and spent the 
night. He contracted a severe cold that developed into pneumo- 
nia which ended his life in five days ; he died Nov. 5, 1828. None 
of his family could reach there until after his decease. He was 
buried near the place of his death. He was a good man, full of 
Christian zeal, abundant in labors, and his works follow him. 

The next year, 1815, Rev. Moses Young, of New Jersey, 
was ordained and installed pastor. He had studied Theology 
with Dr. Axtell, of Geneva. For nine years he was the devoted 
pastor, until his death in 1824. This was his first and only set- 
tlement. During his ministry 231 united with the church. In 
1823 occurred the greate.st revival this church ever saw. During 
his pastorate, communion .seasons were regularly appointed. The 
vSabbath School was instituted, and the social meeting of the 
church, has ever since been held on Friday evening in honor of his 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. II' 



iiieniorx-, his death occuring- on that da\- of the week. Mr. Young 
had a strong mind and ardent piet}-. His preaching was plain 
and pointed. He could reprove sin without giving offense. He 
w-as earnest. Wintry winds and drifting snows could not hinder 
his work. 

When the great revival commenced, Mr. Young was getting 
discouraged in his work, ju.st ready to resign his charge, and just 
then the cloud, big with mercN- drops, l)urst upon the parish. He 
died Oct. 15, 1824. Dr. Axtell, of Geneva, preached his funeral 
sermon from the words, "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having 
a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better." 

He rests on >onder hillside. His mini.stry was short and 
blessed, and many of the subjects of his christian service have been 
known to the speaker, and oh what true, loyal saints the}' have 
been ! 

Rev. Morris Barton was ordained and installed Dec. 21, 1825. 
This was his only pastorate and it continued a little over twenty 
years. During this period 324 were added to the church, four re- 
vivals being enjoyed, viz : In 1826, 1831, 1836 and 1842. Their 
history is interesting but time forbids us to narrate it today. Dur- 
ing this pastorate the present church edifice was l)uilt, being dedi- 
cated in Feb. 1838. 

To .secure funds for its erection, Messrs. John vSmith, John I). 
Coe, John Fleming and John Pruden circulated the subscription 
and John Pruden, John Smith and Joseph Wyckoff constituted 
the building committee. The total cost reached nearly $6, 000. 
Mr. Barton preached the last sermon in the old church founded 
upon Habakkuk 2:11. The present church building is better lo- 
cated than was its predecessor and will ever be a w^orthy monu- 
ment to those earnest, noble, godly men, who labored so hard for 
its erection. 

Mr. Barton was a man of strong mind and will, a man ol 
great natural ability, his sermons well rounded, his illustrations 
striking, his deli\-ery dramatic. He possessed much oratorical 
genius, and was a born leader. He resigned in February, 1846, 
and dwelt in this region until his death Feb, 13, 1857. His re- 
mains rest in our cemeter)-. 



114 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



Rev. Edward Lord, comnienced his laborshere, soon after Mr. 
Barton resigned, and was ordained and installed pastor, Oct. 20. 
1S47. He labored here abont five and one-half years and received 
fiftN'-nine into the church. He was a thoroughly good man, pru- 
dent, earnest, zealous, and the friend of all. One revival occurred 
in 1849, the interest largely centering about the school house in 
the Johnson district. Elders Daniel D. Johnson and Isaiah W. 
Smith entered the church during this pastorate. Mr. Lord is still 
living, though advanced in _\ears. 

He was followed by Rev. Peter S. \'anNest, D. D., who la- 
bored three years, and nine then united %\'ith the church During 
this pastorate, the parsonage was built, and he was the first occu- 
pant. After serving man\- churches in the West he died Sept. 21, 
1893, at Lake Geneva Wis., being i>o years of age. 

He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Rosenkrans, who minis- 
tered to the people five years, and admitted forty-eight into the 
church. Elders Lyman E. Jacobus and Peter Wyckoff came into 
the church during this period. One precious revival was enjoyed 
in 1858. He died of cancer at Onondaga Valley, N. Y., soon 
after his resignation here. 

Rev. Charles B. Dey was installed July i, 1862, and remained 
two and one-half years and received eleven into the church. He 
now resides in Springfield, Mass. 

Rev. James C. Smith commenced his labors in 1865, and con- 
tinued until 1869. There were nineteen additions to the church. 
He was a straight-forward, upright man, a true man of God. He 
died in Marathon, N. Y., March 24, 1876. 

Rev. William A. Simkins succeeded and continued here two 
years and three nronths. During the time twenty-eight united 
with the church. A man of great ability, a fine scholar and ora- 
tor. He had many warm friends. He is now supposed to be 
living in Salina, Kansas. 

The tenth pastor, Rev. J. Wilford Jacks, commenced his 
services here May i , 1872, and was ordained and installed August 
27 of the same year. During this pastorate three hundred and 
ihhty have been received into the church. During the same pe- 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. I I5 

riod many iinproveinents have been made to the church property, 
its interior has been remodelled, furnaces introduced, walks and 
grounds improved, and a neat and commodious chapel has been 
erected and furnished. 

Notice, that the pulpit of this church has never been long va- 
cant, and during the entire period of its existence, over ninety-two 
years, it has only had ten pastors and six of them were ordained 
and commenced their ministr>- here. To summarize, this chui'ch 
has had ten pastors, forty-one elders, fourteen deacons, ninet}-- 
four trustees, and o\-er twelve hundred members. 

This church has had much to do with the history of this town, 
and when you remember the strong men who have constituted its 
eldership, you can see it has a record of which it need not be 
ashamed. The names of the Flemings, the Marvins, Whitehead, 
Doremus, Conkhng, Garrigus, Baldridge, Wade, Pruden,- Smith, 
Gurnee, Brown, Pinkerton, Ogden, Covert, Smalley, Swezy and 
Hunt, would be a credit to any church in the land, and many 
other names that appear in the Congregational annals will n(jt 
perish. 

Future historians will deal justly with the strong, faithful 
men of the present, who to-day are exerting .so potent an influence 
not only in the church, but also in pul)lic affairs. 

Look about to-day and you cannot find a .single one who partici- 
pated in the organization of this church. In 1854 the la.st of these 
noble souls passed from earth. Ninety -two years of .service, the 
liooks of heaven alone can tell, how great has been the influence 
of this church, in the organization of society and in the prosperity 
of the town. Their interests from the out.set have been closely 
intertwined; and had it not been for its churches and for Christian- 
ity itself, we believe this town would not occupy the high rank it 
does. Yea, without Christianity and the christian's God, this 
fair region would still be a wilderness, roamed over onh" b>- 
savages. 

.God has ijeen gracious to us, both as a town and a church. 
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.'' May our progress ever 
ascend, and our efforts ever be exerted, to build up and sustain the 



Il6 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULI'S. 



church, which is as dear to its great Head as is the apple of His 
Eye. Then shall the achievements, the blessings of the next cen- 
tur}-, be even greater than those of the past, then shall our 
true golden age lie before rather than behind us, and the praj-ers and 
the efforts of our godly ancestr}' will not have been offered in 
vain. 

The officers of the church to-day are : Elders, Daniel D. 
Johnson, Isaiah W. Smith, Peter Wyckoff, Eyman E. Jacobus, 
WilHam A. Warne, John V. R. Clark, Andrew S. Long, Luther 
S. Vail, Frank S. Adair. Deacons, David R. Ambrose, Clinton 
A. Warne. Trustees, Andrew S. Long, Amos P. Miller, Henry 
C. Lisk, Esq., Clarkson Warne, Luther S. Vail, John V. R. 
Clark. Chorister, Pierson Jacobus. Organi.st, Mrs. L. E. Jaco- 
bus. Sexton, Joseph H. Snook. 

This church has furni.slied many ministers of the gospel. 
Rev. Messrs. WiUiam Bridgman, Elihu Marvin, Charles C. Carr, 
Samuel S. Fleming, Francis Hendricks, Peter W. Emens, Lsaac 
Jacobus, H. Bradley Sayre, and Rev. Walter S. Peterson was 
also here ordained. 

The present membership of the church is about 270 commu- 
nicants. This church has furnished elders for many other Pres- 
byterian churches. John Vorhees, Pontiac, Mich.; Josiah Jaco- 
bus, Bellona, N. Y.; Cyrus Brockway, Wolcott, N. Y.; Charles 
Mosher Fleming, Pine River, Mich.; Dr. Mather Marvin, Lodi, 
Mich.; Ebenezer Conkling, Horseheads, N. Y.; John Fleming, 
Albion, Mich.; Jarvis Fleming, Adrian, Mich.; Fleming Mc- 
Math, Dover, Mich.; David Garrigus, Adrian, Mich.; Thomag 
Sample, John Mead, Tunis L. Dey, George Merkel, West Fay- 
ette, N. Y. ; John H. Dey, Pelham Manor, N. Y. ; John G. 
Crane, Ypsilanti, Mich.; Albert V. B. Dey, Waukesha, 
Wis.; Robert G. Smith, Waterloo, N. Y.; Rathbun J. Hunt, 
Truniansburg, N. Y.; Charles R. King, E^sq., Rochester, N. Y.^ 
(Third Church); Edward P. Salyer, Dunkirk, N. Y.; Edmund 
Doughty, Aurora, N. Y. 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. II7 

Addenda. — In the history of this town, the able compiler 
has referred to the man}' eminent clerg5'men, physicians, law3'ers, 
and business men, who have found their birth place in this town, 
but we regard it a privilege to add the name of one who has at- 
tained a leading place in journalism, being at the head of one of 
the prominent religious papers of the Presbyterian church. Mr. 
John H. Dey, was born June 28, 1826, on Military Lot No. 50, 
in the western part of the present town of Varick. His parents, 
Peter L. Dey and Mrs. Rebecca (Steele) Dey, were both members 
of the Presbyterian church in this place, until the organization of 
the church at West Fayette, and their son, John H. De}', was 
baptized in the old church of Romulus. His mother died in 1832. 
At fourteen years of age the son went to li\'e with the late Ira 
Merrill, of Geneva, at that time the publi-sher of the Courier. Be- 
fore he had spent ten }ears in that village, he had become editor 
and joint proprietor of that paper. Two 3'ears, he then spent in 
the printing department of Derby and Miller, Auburn. In 1853 
he became publisher and at times editor of the Genesee Evangelist, 
at Rochester until in 1857, that paper was consolidated with the 
American Ptesbvteyian, Philadelphia. A little later this paper was 
purchased by the New York Evatjgelist, and Mr. Dey has been 
connected with the latter paper ever since, more than thirty-six 
years. Faithful in little, much has been entrusted to his never 
wearying hands. ' 

Rev. Jedediah Chapman, the founder of this church, was the 
father of Presbyterianism in this region. Born in Connecticut, 
educated at Yale College, he came from New Jersey to Geneva in 
r8oo, being commissioned by the General Assembly as a mission- 
ary on the northwestern frontier. He lived largely in the saddle 
and in the homes of the people, looking up and gathering into 
folds the scattered sheep of the wilderness. Beside all other duties 
his home was a training school in which young men were educa- 
ted for the ministry. In 1813 he entered into rest and his remains 
found sepulture in the Pultney street cemetery of Geneva. His 
best monument is the Presbyterian Church in Western New 
York. 



Il8 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 

"THE WATERLOO LIBRARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY," 

Responded to bj' Hon. Samuel R.. Welles, its president, as . 
follows : 

Mr. President: — 

The Waterloo Historical Societ}' instructed me, to congratu- 
late the town of Romulus, upon its reaching its centennial, and I 
wish to add my personal congratulations, 1,hat the citizens of the 
town are so successfully and gloriously celebrating the e\^ent. 

Citizens of Romulus : One hundred years ago the resident of 
the town of Romulus, was a citizen of Onondaga county. Prior 
to that year, the occupants of the same soil owed allegiance to Al- 
bany, Tryon or Herkimer county. In 1799, a change in county 
lines gave the town to Cayuga ; in 1800 Romulus .surrendered a 
portion of her territory to form the new town of Fayette ; in 1804, 
when Seneca county was created from Cayuga, Romulus came 
within the limits of the new county; in 1830, she was again di- 
vided to make the new town of Varick. Formed into towns 
the same year, Romulus and her sister town of Ovid, are well 
entitled to a celebration of their looth birthday, and like the Roman 
matron can point with pride to their children and say, "these are 
ray jewels," for not only the eight remaining towns in the county _ 
but .several in the counties of Wayne, Tompkins and Schuyler, 
were taken from Romulus or Ovid. Well may Romulus call 
home her scattered children and at the old hearthstone fan from 
the embers the memories of "auld lang syne" — live for a day in 
the past, and shutting out disturbing care, and resting from weary 
toil, enjoy for a brief space, the .soothing quiet of pleasant retro- 
spection and live over again school boy days and boyhood life. 

The date of your centennial is propitious, and the sentiment 
it invokes, accords with the spirit of the times. It comes in the 
last decade of the nineteenth century, when the common thought 
of humanity turns to the past, and at Time's Mile Stone, looks 
back over the paths traversed during the one hundred years, scans 
the landmarks, estimates the distances, and wisely gathers up the 
experiences of the pa.st. This and similar Centennial Commemo- 
rations, have the effect to draw out and mass together for preser- 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMTH'S. 119 



vation, important historical facts and data, and such observances 
cannot fail to keep alive an interest in, and love for, home and 
State and country, forming, nourishing and perfecting the strong- 
est and purest patriotism, the State's best reliance in time of need. 
The same sentiment which has brought about this day's 
event, actuated those who took the first measures toward the for- 
mation of the Waterloo Historical Society. The few who organ- 
ized the effort, became more interested as the work progressed, 
and interested others. . Soon friends appeared and material aid 
l)egan to be offered. The result is prett}- well known. The so- 
ciety has the cordial support of an interested and generous public, 
an elegant library and building, a bright prospect for increasing 
and lasting usefulness. I speak of the Waterloo Historical Soci- 
ety, to bring me to the expression of the belief, that if you perse- 
vere in the work you have initiated, continue your historical re- 
.searches, gather and preserve local records, note passing events, 
interest will increase, accessions will be rapidly made to }our 
numbers, and you will soon have a Historical Society, which 
will be a source of increasing pleasure and satisfaction to all the 
residents of your grand old town. 



"WILL.-\RD STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE IXSAXE." 

Responded to by Hon. Francis O. Mason, of Geneva, as 
follows : 

Mr. President and Citizens : 

It is, I am sure, a matter for mutual regret, that Judge Had- 
le>-, the honored President of the Willard State Hospital Board, is 
not present to speak for the Institution he has so faithfully pre- 
sided over these many years. 

Having been, for over twenty years, associated with him in 
service upon this board, I am glad, since he is not here, to supply 
as well as I can, his place, b}- some words to commemorate this 
noble charity of the State of Xew York. 

I confess, that when I first saw this .sentiment upon jour pro- 
gramme to-day, I was a httle puzzled to understand how Willard 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS 



vState Hospital could be logicalh' associated with an observance of 
the Romulus Centennial. 1 1 is sometimes said that the courts 
reach after jurisdiction. This occurs, where it seems as if some- 
thing ought to be done, and nobody else has authority to do it. 
And, if it seems a little like reaching after jurisdiction, for Romu- 
lus to claim something more than a geographical interest in Wil- 
lard State Hospital, it may be due to the feeling that something 
ought to be said on behalf of this great philanthropy, and it be- 
hooves Romulus to move in the matter. There is certainly, as I 
now see, an appropriateness in this, since Romulus shares with 
her sister town of Ovid, the honor of having this Hospital located 
within her boundry. The theme is a noble one, as all that is hu- 
mane, and helpful to the friendless, is noble. It is full of a sad, a 
pathetic interest. 

Until within the present century, there has probably been no 
unfortunate condition of mankind less relieved by the wisdom, or 
more aggravated by the ignorance of mankind, than that of the 
insane. 

For hundreds, aye, thousands of 3'ears, insanity was not 
known as a disease, but as the result of demoniacal possession. 
Its victims were therefore, treated not as unfortunate, but as vie. 
ious, and devilish. They were subjected to neglect, torture, bound 
in chains, whipped, and subjected to almost every form of mal- 
treatment that the ingenuity of man could invent. If there be a 
page of human history over which mankind ought to weep, over 
its ignorance, it is surely this. 

At last, the lamp of science illumined this dark abode of igno- 
rance and superstition, the theory of incarnate devilship was 
abandoned, philanthropy took the place of cruelty, and the insane 
came gradually to be considered entitled to more considerate treat- 
ment. 

In 1865, the State of New York had but one Asylum for the 
insane, maintained by the State. This was full. It was deemed 
more important to have insanity in its first stage treated here, and 
as those cases arrived, those who had been insane for a year or 
more, were returned to the only place there had yet been provided 
for them, the poor-houses of the counties. 



CICNTENNIAI. OF ROMIH.US. 



For years, tliu medical profession, as well as philanthropic 
men outside that ])r()fession, had been urs^ini; upon the Legis- 
lature a better proxision for the insane poor. 

Dr. vS3-lvester I). W'illard, then .Secretary of the vState Medic-al 
Society, was appointed by the Legislature in JS64, to visit the 
various poor-houses in the vState, and ascertain the condition in 
which this class was found. His report was made to the Legisla- 
ture in 1865. 

The horrible condition in which the insane })oor of the .State 
was found by this investigation impelled the Legi.slature to pass the 
act for the creation of the Willard Asylum for the Insane. It was 
not designed for the acute itisane, the\- were still to be cared for 
by their friends, or b}' the State Lunatic Asylum at Utica. Its 
])articular purpo.se was to provide for the care of the insane poor, 
those who had been lingering in filth for years in the poor-houses 
of the State. Before this time, the well-to-do insane had been 
taken care of by their friends, or in the State Lunatic Asylum at 
Utica. The poor insane had been treated like other poor, and 
confined in the poor houses. 

Here these wretched people were, having for attendants other 
paupers, sane perhaps, btit in many instances depraved b}* vice, 
cold, sordid, selfish from poverty, utterly incapable of taking care 
of themselves, employed to oversee and apply moral and physical 
means of restraint for the insatw poor. 

The purpose of the Willard Asylum for the insane, was to 
provide for this wretched class, a place where they could be prop- 
erly treated with reference to their comfort and if possible, also 
their recovery. At the date of this report, there were of this class 
in the poor houses over 1300. 

It was an experiment, its underlying idea was that the insane 
poor should no longer be left to the county authorities to care for, 
but that the}- should be regarded and treated as the wards of the 
State. Humane as was this object, it has not been pursued without 
opposition. For years, large numbers of our people failed to ap- 
preciate their duties toward this wretched class, and allowed an 
unsvmpathetic and paltr>- economy to interfere with, and obstruct 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS 



the progress of this humane reform. But gradually the great ob- 
ject lesson taugiit at Willard, began to be persuasive with the 
people. The As3-lum at Binghamton for the same class followed 
in 1879, and in the }ear 1890, the Legislation of the State pro- 
vided for the care of all insane poor in State Hospitals. 

It would be unju.st to Hundreds of philanthropic men and 
women in this vState, to claim that the credit for this consumma- 
tion should be wholl}- given to Willard vState Hospital. But that 
here, the attempt to work out this problem was begun ; here, un- 
der the able management of Dr John B. Chapin, and his success- 
ors, it was made successful, so that its success became the unans- 
werable argument with philanthropists, for the provision b}- the 
State, for the care of all its insane poor. Here the friends of hu- 
manity from distant states, came to witness this success, and catch 
inspiration for repeating it in their own. Here the practicability 
of the problem was worked out, and from here has gone forth an 
influence; and here been found an example, by which the people 
of this great State have been educated in their duties to this unfor- 
tunate class, and led to provide for their care, as becomes a people 
pretending to a Christian civilization. 

When we contrast the condition of the insane poor, as it was 
in the poor-houses at the time the Willard Asylum Act was passed, 
and behold them now comfortabh- housed, given wholesome food, 
clean beds, good air, well lighted apartments, kind attendants, 
good medical service, aiKl hundreds of them contentedly em- 
ployed on the farm, and in various mechanical industries, and 
those too weak for that, daily given a pleasant walk in the open 
air, cared for by suitable attendants; see a gratifying percentage of 
them every year recovering their reason, and clothed in their right 
mind, returning to their homes and families; surely this great 
philanthropy must command with the people of Romulus, their 
heartiest sympathy and good will. 

Mr. President, we are living in an age of great mental activ- 
ity. Commercial activities, industrial activities, political activities, 
educational activities, are organized as they have never been be- 
fore. We have accomphshed so much by organization, that we 
have come to believe that almost everything can be run b}' ma- 
chinery. 



CKNTKNNIAI. Ol'" KOMTLUS. 



The movements of those haxing- charg^e of the insane cannot 
l)e well directed by niachinen-. The methods, cannot be machine 
methods; they must have the element of human sxinpatlu- and 
personal discretion, which cannot be manufactured. 

lyCt us all remember, that it it is not enouj;h to Ibund these 
institutions, and pa_\- our taxes for their sui)]i(>rt. We must not 
relax our interest, in the way they are administered. Let us at all 
times, make sure that this unfortunate class has ample opportu- 
nit}- to communicate with friends : that men of high charac- 
ter and kindly feeling are selected as the more immediate 
governors of these in.stitutions : that through them the inmates 
shall have abundant avenues of making their wants and com- 
plaints known to their friends ; and if without friends, then to the 
world ; that officialism shall not l)y machiner\' eliminate the ele- 
ment of human sympath\- from their administration ; that the 
humane purpose that caused them to be built, may con- 
tinue to dominate their management, and make them what 
they were designed to be, Hospitals for the relief and cure of 
insanity, where kindness shall take the place of cruelty, care the 
place of neglect, hope the place of despair, and comfort the place 
of .suffering. 

The people of Romulus can feel none other than an honest 
pride in this noble institution, .situated in their midst. To them it 
means a variety of material advantages. From them, it has the 
right to expect the most hearty co-operation for its continued u.se- 
fulness. Will they not always feel it a paramount duty, to .see to 
it, that nothing shall be permitted in the admini.stration of their 
municipal affairs, calculated to iiiterfere with the discipline, which 
ought to be there maintained, or to impair the efficiency of its 
humane administration ? 



"THE PRESS." 
Responded to by Charles T. Andrews, K.sq., editor of the 
Courier, vSeneca Falls, X. Y. 



124 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULT'.S. 



"THE CLERGY." 

Response by Rev. Kdwiii H. Dickinson of vSeneca Falls. 
The address having been extemporaneous, and no copy thereof 
having been secured the following extract therefrom, is ap- 
pendend from the Geneva A'eics Letter: 

"The reverend gentleman said he voiced the congratulations 
of the clergy, to this beautiful town. Its progress in the one hun- 
dred years past, was largely aided b}- the clerg>-, who had in return 
been aided by the people. The relations of the people to the 
clergy and of the clergy to the people, were likened to the rain and 
the forest. 'Little rain, little forest ; little forest, little or no rain." 
He referred to two pastors of Romulus, whose services were in- 
valuable to the town. Dr. Willers, father of the historical orator 
of to-day, who preached for sixty-two years in Bearytown. He 
was a man of marvelous memory and indefatigable earnestness. 
He has left his impress for good, permanently on the town. The 
Chairman of the Executive Committee (Rev. Mr. Jacks), was re- 
ferred to as another, whose popularity was not bounded by this 
district. He was the stated clerk of the Geneva Presbyter\- and 
one of the two stated clerks of the great New York vSynod. He 
was an ecclesiastical lawyer of rare ability, who 'helps- his less ex- 
perienced clerical friends in ecclesiastical lore." 



"THE LEGAL PROFE.SSION." 
Re.spon.se by Col. John J. VanAllen, of Watkins. 



"THE MEDICAL PROFE.SSION.' 

Responded to by Dr. Elias Lester, of Seneca Falls, as 
follows : 
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : 

I am sure that I feel very grateful for the honor of represent- 
ing the Medical Association of Seneca County, at this Centennial 
of one of its mo.st flouri.shing towns, and thank the committee for 
remembering the medical profession at such a time. The hundred 
years past, have given progress to medicine and surgery, as well as 
to agriculture, science and the arts. 



CHNTKNNIAI. OK KOAriXrvS. 125 

It is not my intention to orive in these brief remarks, a history 
of the profession for the past hnndred >ears, nor to note the great 
progress in medical science during this period. I am a great 
beHever in medical societies, in concerted action for the advance- 
ment of scientitic research. I believe there is a great future before 
the human race, and I .see a time within the next centur\-, when 

things will be far different from what they are now. 

» * * «• «■ * * 

I look forward to the time when ex'er}- detail of city arrange- 
ments, the pavements, the drainage, everything will be arranged 
by the concerted action and combined wisdom of the medical pro- 
fes.sion. I look forward to the time, when every detail of dress, 
instead of being governed by idle and frivolous fashion, .shall be 
determined by scientific principles, evolved from the wisdom of the 
medical profession. 

When that time comes, Mr. I're.sident, there will be no neces- 
sity, any longer for armies or navies. Everything will be .so 
arranged, on such wise, such solid, such complete plans and 
methods, that it will be absolute protection. And when that time 
does come, my honest conviction is, that this section, these beau- 
tiful fields, between these lovely lakes, will be the center and 
head of the affair, and thousands will congregate here, to restore 
their destroyed health and enjoy the full pleasure of a well spent 
hfe. 



Singing In- Quartette. 



"OIR KKVOLrTU)NAKV 1-ATHER.S AND I'lON KKK SE TTLKR.S.' 

Response by K. P. Cole, K.sq., as follows: * 
Mk. President ; 

What can I say of our Revolutionary fathers that has not 
been said by far more gifted tongues than mine ? However, 1 can 

*Mr. Cole was not presewt at the Celebration, and this address was not 
delivered, but the copy as previously pieparcd, has been furnished for pub- 
lication. 



126 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



sa}-, had it not been for such men as Washington and John Han- 
cock, and others of Hke character — men of honor, men of princi- 
ple, men of action, read}- to die, if need be, for what they beUeved 
to be the right — I feel that I can safely assert, had it not been for 
those noble men, and of those who have conscientiously endea- 
vored to carry into execution the good examples they left us, and 
the useful lessons they taught us, such an occasion as we celebrate 
to-day, could not have been. Therefore, to the memory of those 
who have ' 'gone before, ' ' I would add ni}- tribute of praise to the 
good works the}' performed, and the rich legacy they left us. 

I feel proud of the fact that my great-grandfather w-as a Revo- 
lutionary .soldier, and was one of the first, if not the very first, 
white man to settle in the town of Ovid. In the fall of tiie year, 
1788, Peter Smith visited the "lake country,' as this region was 
at that time called. He built a rude hut, out of what at one time 
had been an Indian wigwam. With sharp sticks he dug up the 
earth, and sowed thereon some wheat. He then dragged it in 
with brush. His work being completed, he returned to his 
home in Bucks county, Penn. On account of sickness, he was not 
able to bring his wife to their pioneer home until the month of 
July of the following year, 1789. With him came David Wisner, 
who, settled in Romulus, and, by the way, was what the}- called 
in tho.se days a "parson." 

After building a commodious log cabin, Mr. Wi.sner returned 
to Pennsylvania, and there purchased a team of oxen and .some 
corn. When he returned with the supplies, he found that 
Peter vSmitli had neighbors, the Dunlaps, WiLsons, F^assetts, and 
other early settlers of Ovid. 

As we look over this lovely country to-da}', it seems scarcely 
po,s.sible, that one hundred years ago, it was covered bv native for- 
ests, a wilderness inhabited b}- the .savage red men, the Arabs of 
America; and where once stood the wigwam, in many instances, 
now stand beautiful farm houses, inhabited by an intelligent and 
refined population. As I look about me, I see fathers and moth- 
ers, whose blo.s.soming heads tell of many years of earnest labor, in 
bringing our country up to its present high standard. Permit me 
to welcoMie you, as the victors on many a hard fought field. We 



cp:ntenniai, of Ro:\rrLus. 127 

recognize the fact, that you cleared a\\"a\' the timber region, antl 
made the countr\- to l)lossom as the rose. You, gentlemen of ripe 
years, can well say, times have changed since we were boys. No 
anniversary meetings in those days, no time for an\- ; lia\' all cut 
with hand scythes ; grain all cut with cradle. Why, the }()ung 
men of to-day hardly know a grain cradle when they see one ! An 
incident is related of a \oung man from the city .seeking employ- 
ment. When asktd if he could cradle, he blushingly replied : 
"Yes, but I would rather work out of doors." 

There was very little dairying, in the earl}- da^'S, in this 
county. Then nearly all the cows were found roughing it in the 
snows, and unprotected from the cold winds of winter. vSaid one 
of the old pioneers : "I remember the time when butter .sold for 
eight cents a pound, if it was good. Cheese making for market 
began when 1 was a bo}-. It was full-cream, and in the fall the 
.sea.son's make was packed in barrels or casks and sc^nt to New 
York, where it was sold for from three to four cents per pound. 
The price of farm labor was fifty cents per day and board." 
Grandfather and grandmother can well say, "Times have changed 
.since we were young." We are living in a time when the farm 
laborer gets double the wages he did in early days; the farmer gets 
double the income from his farm: yet I fear there is more indebt- 
edness and less money saved now than in the days of "Auld Lani,^ 
Syne." Why is it ? The question can be answered at least in 
part. If our parents or grandparents of fifty or seventy-five years 
a^^o were to enter one of our modern hou.ses to-day, and see our 
floors covered with costly carpets or rugs, pictures and bric-a-brac 
adorning the walls, luxurious chairs and .sofas, book-cases filled 
with beautiful books, instruments of music, our dining-tables .set 
with the endless variety of china and glass, napkins and the multi- 
plicity of silver knives, forks and spoons, they would beheve we 
were all posse.ssed of great wealth: but I think I can tell what 
they would .say, and it would be something like this; that we 
were Hving in a more extravagant style than we could afford. 
Had it been possible for our early settlers, and the}- had allowed 
themselves the luxuries we enjoy, and feel are actually necessary, 
thev would not have been able to have left us the good homes, 



I2S CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



the fine farms we possess to-day. But our goodly heritage means 
something. It means hard labor, j rivation, strict economy, pru- 
dence and thrift of those "gone before," that we, the children of 
to-day, might enjoy the reward of their toil. 

To the young men and women who live in the country, let 
me say : you are engaged in the oldest and most noble occupation 
of man. Ever keep this fact before you. Agriculture is the 
mother of us all. Agriculture feeds, to a great extent it clothes 
us. Without it, we should have no manufactures, we should have 
no commerce. "These great industries stand together like monu- 
ments—the largest in the centre, and the largest is agriculture." 

The march of progress is irresistible. We cannot stay it. 
We must either join the procession or be left hopelessly in the 
rear. In this progressive age, the grain cradle gives place to the 
modern self-binder. The scythe hangs rusting on the tree, while 
the mowing machine lays low the grassy meadows. The hum of 
the threshing machine is heard where we used to hear the dull thud 
of the flail. By these things are we taught the meaning of the 
Divine words: "Old things have passed away, and all things 
have become new." 



"THE LADIES." 

Responded to by Rev. Dr. N. Beall Remick, of Geneva, as 
follows : 
Mr. Chairman and Friends : 

"The best of the wine at the last of the feast !" That is to 
.say, if I may be allowed poetic license : The ladies, though last 
on to-day's programme, are always first in our hearts ! 

In inviting me to stand here, and respond to this sentiment, 
you have conferred upon me a distinguished honor. For who 
cares to speak of Indians, or Statesmen, or Poets, or Clergymen, 
or of all of them combined, when he can, for a few moments, pay 
his respects to the ladies ? As fift}- years in Europe are better 
than a cycle in Cathay, so simply to make one's bow to the ladies 
is a greater privilege than to spend many hours in sounding the 
praises of the men. Despite the golden achievements of your 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMUI^US. I 2g 



distinguished men, in the various walks of life, their ineffectual 
light pales before the radiance and heroism of your honorable 
women, of whom Seneca County has had, and has, not a few. 
Would that time permitted me to recall their names and recite 
some of their deeds ! 

"The bravely dumb that did their deed. 
And scorned to blot it with a name." 

From the earliest period of your history to the present mo- 
ment, the greatest glory of Romulus has not been its fertile farms, 
its superb location midway between the lakes, its metropolitan 
journaHsts, or its well-known statesmen and ministers, but rather 
its mothers, its wives, its sisters and its sweethearts. 

"And were they young, or were they growing old. 

Or ill, or well, 
Or lived in poverty, or had much gold ? 

No one can tell. 
Only one thing is known of them : the\- were 

Faithful and true 
Di.sciples of the lyord, and strong through prayer 

To save and do." 

Why sirs, Seneca County would be a waste, howling wilder- 
ness, and you could not be here to-day to boast of your stalwart 
ancestr}', had it not been for the ladies. And as for this delight- 
ful Centennial celebration itself, will you not admit that, despite 
the labors of the Committee of Arrangements, despite all the elo- 
quence of the day and the presence of eminent men, it would be a 
dismal failure, were it not for the smiles and hospitality of the 
ladies? Why, Mr. Chairman, I doubt whether we would want 
to go to heaven, unless we believed that most of the angels were 
ladies ! And as for Romulus, I am sure we would not be willing 
to stay here for a day, unless most of the ladies were angels ! I 
agree with the sentiment of a writer in an old number of the 
Atla7itie Afo^ithly. He had traveled around the world several 
times and seen everything in Art and Nature worth seeing ; and 
this is his conclusion : "For more than twenty years, I have in 
vain searched through the world, for an emotion of .sublimity, such 
as has been given one, b\- the faith and devotion of a woman's 
soul." 



130 CENTENNIAL OE ROMULUS 

But the hour admonishes me to make my remarks, Hke time, 
short ; and like my theme, sweet. Hence, again thanking you 
for the hospitalities of this memorable day, I close with this senti- 
ment: May God BLESS the women, and may the women 

ALWAYS LOVE THE MEN ! 



The interest in the exercises w^as well maintained through- 
out, and to the end of the lengthy programme, which was finished 
at six o'clock p. m., when the meeting adjourned, after the singing 
of the Long Metre Doxology, by the Quartette, in which the audi- 
ence joined, and with the Benediction, pronounced by Rev. J. 
Wilford Jacks. 



CONCLUSION. 

At the close of the Historical Address, on motion of Hon. 
George S. Conover, of Geneva, seconded by Dr. Myron D. Blaine 
of the same place, the meeting requested the Executive Com- 
mittee to publish the proceedings connected with the Centennial, 
and the exercises thereat. 

It is a matter of regret to the Executive Committee, that hav- 
ing failed to secure the services of a stenographer, a portion of the 
addresses, delivered extempore, cannot be published herewith. 

During the course of the exercises. Secretaries Andrew S. 

lyong and Richard M. Steele, read a number of letters from invited 

guests, regretting inability to attend the celebration, of which 

several are here subjoined : 

FROM HON. AMOS O. OSBORN. 

Waterville, N. Y., May 30, 1894. 
Gentlemen :— Your invitation to attend the Centennial of the Organ- 
ization of the Town of Romulus, is received. I thank you much for the 
compHment, suggested as it probably is, by my publishing the narrative of 
Luke Swetland's captivity for one whole year in the town, then the Indian 
Kendaia, and the p:nglish Appletown. I would like very much to be pres- 
ent, but presume I shall be unable to do so. 

The associations of this occasion will render the celebration exception- 
ally interesting and the festivities will of course correspond. I wonder if 
Luke's "place of convenient retirement by the side of the lake under the 
high cliff ol rocks" where he spent the lirst Wednesday in every month in 
Ijrivate fasting, and prayer and meditation, can be identitied. It would be 
a great satisfaction to know. 

Thanking you again for the invitation, I remain, 

Truly Yours, 

AMOS O. OSBORN. 



CKNTENNIAI. OK ROMIJI.UvS. I31 



FROM HON. PETER A. DEY. 

Iowa Board of Railroad Coinmissioners : ) 
DksMoinhs, May 17, 1894. \ 

Dear Sir :— On my return from Washington, yesterday. I found an in • 
vitation from the Coniniittee, to attend the Centennial Celebration of the 
Organization of the Town of Romulus, but will be compelled to decline the 
same. I do this with regret, as many of my earliest and most agreeable 
recollections cluster around what was the old town of Romulus. 

My maternal grandfather followed his elder brother, Benjamin Dey, 
from Preakness, New Jersey, in 1801, to Seneca County, and settled on the 
farm formerly owned by H. T. E. Foster, in Fayette, on the Lake Road, 
some four or tive miles south of the foot of Seneca Lake. My father, who 
was a tanner, came from New York City, (where he was in the employ of 
the Lorrilard Brothers), in 1806, and in partnership with his Uncle Benja- 
min, built a tannery al)out two miles from West Fayette Presbyterian 
Church, on the road leading south. All my father's children were born 
there. He was Sujiervisor of the town of Romulus, and after the division 
in 1830, was elected Supervisor of the town of Varick. 

He left the tannery in the fall of 1830, and moved to Seneca Falls, 
where he died November 14, 185 1, his Uncle David, dying in Varick, a few 
months before, in the same year, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. 

Although young when I left, the old tannery was always a pleasant place 
to me,and m driving by in the last few years, I could not but feel badly, that 
every vestige of tan bark had disappeared, that the old brick school house had 
been succeeded by a frame one, and tlie old home had lost many of its old 
time features. In attempting to trace the members of the Dey family, 1 
found their places largely occupied by others and the old homes that were 
established in the last or early in the present century, by the original Dey 
families, occupied by strangers. 

I shall always retain a warm feeling for the old county, and the old 
town, and trust that its sons and its daughters, may always maintain the 
high standard of the past. 

\'erv Respectfully Yours, 

PETER A. DEY. 

FROM JUDGE REUBEN C. LEMMON. 

Court of Co/nt)!on Pleas : ) 
Toledo, Ohio, May 26, 1894. \ 
Hon. DiEDRiCH Willers: 

Dear Sir : — Your kind favor was duly received. I delayed answering, 
hoping to be able to be with the good people of Romulus on the occasion of 
their assemblage to commemorate the organization of the town. I shall 
not, however, be able to leave my work here, at that time, and must content 
myself with a letter of regret. That you will have a pleasant time, I cannot 
doubt. 

Many events which have long been treasured in the silent chambers cf 
the memory, will be uncovered and again brought forth to interest you. 
That the occasion may be instructive and in all respects pleasant, we will 
assume. Should you be able to gather the history of families that have 
lived in Romulus, and those who have gone thence out to other States, and 
thus trace the diverging channels of life, the varying ambitions and activi- 
ties which have been developed from that small community, it would inter- 
est us all. I shall be pleased to hear, that you have made it a day and an 
occasion of happiness. 

1 remember well your father, and recall his fnvm and features, as I met 



132 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 

him nearly sixty years ago, when lie served as Inspector of the Common 
Schools of Varick. 1 recall his examiiiaticni of the school, then kept m the 
old log school house, situate between Lemnion's and Caton s Corners, on the 
stage road. Your father put this question tu nie : "How much is nineteen 
times nineteen, do it in your head ?" It took me some tmie to do it, and 
then he explained, by showing how I might have saved labor, by taking 
nineteen ten times, doubling that, an(^ then subtracting nineteen. I have 
never forgotten this, and it taught me a useful practical lesson. 

Yerx Truly Yours, 

R. C. LKMMON. 

FROM ALBERT \' . P>. DEY, KSQ. (A grandson of Dr. Philip Dey). 

Waukesha, Wisconsin, June 7, 18^4. 

Rev. |. W. Jacks, Dear Sir: — I received some time ago.an invitation to 
attend the Centennial Celebration of the town of Romulus. I am much 
obliged to the Committee for the invitation, and as myself and my departed 
wife, and all my children, were bora in the once town of Romulus, it is only 
natural that I am very much interested in all that pertains to that beautiful 
country between the Lakes. 

As one grows old, the memory of the past is the one great pleasure of 
life, and as I am ntjw nearing the alloted time given to man, my thoughts 
often turn back to the old home; to the old school house where sorrowful as 
well as happy hours were sjjent ; to the old Romulus church, where we 
gathered to worship God. AH honor to thos"^ sturdy old pioneers, who, axe 
in hand, hewed for themselves, homes in the then western "howling wilder- 
ness; "who built the school houses and the churches; who braved dangers to 
create what you now enjoy. 

There are very many Romulus b jrn children, and their descendants, 
living in this central part of our great country, in Michigan, in Illinois, and 
in Wisconsin, and even scattered along to the Pacific Coast. Sturdy men 
and women, who as a rule have so lived, as t > bring honor and not a blush 
of shame to the good old town of Ronmlus. 

My Uncle, Anthony Dey, built an<l carried on for many years, the tan- 
nerv which was the first manufactory of any importance in the town, where 
early settlers took their beef skins to be matle into leather and carried 
leather back to their homes, ready for the shoemaker to come and make 
shoes for the family. Time and change, however, has obliterated every 
mark of that once busy hive of industry. Country tanneries and country 
shoemakers have had their day and and are gone, and all those early set- 
tlers are gone, and in a very few years, it will be said of those who are now 
celebrating the one hundredth birthday of the town of Romulus— ^(3«<?. 

I regret, that it will not be possible for me to be with you in the flesh, 
as well as in the spirit, on the day you celebrate. 

Yours \'erv Truly, 

ALBERT \-. B. DEY. 

FROM CEXERAL WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 

At^BURN, N. Y., June 8, 1894. 
Dkak Sir : — Permit me to thank your committee for their very cordial 
invitatitMi to attend the Centennial Celebration of the town of Romulus. It 
would afford me nnich jtleasure, to be present upon that very interesting 
occasion, were it ])ossible for me to do so, but the annual meeting of the 
trustees of Weils College, called for the same day, will, I regret to say, 



CKNTKNNIAL OF ROMULUS. I 33 

prevent. I feel an especial interest in your Centennial Meeting, because 
my mother, a claut;liter of the late Mlijah Miller, hatl many relatives in your 
town. 



N'ery I'ruly ^'()urs, 

\VM. M. SEWARD. 



FROM DR. WILLI.VM H. EGLE, STATE LIBRARIAN. 

State Library of Pennsylvania : 1 
Hakrisburg, Pa., May IT, 1894. \ 
My De.\r .Sir : — I thank you very kindly in forwarding nie an invita- 
tion to the Romulus Centennial, and I know of nothing I would enjoy more, 
than to be with you on that interesting occasion. At this writing, it is 
barely possii)le, that I may be able to be with you. My interest in the 
event, lies in the fact, that there were so many of our Pennsylvanians who 
went into that section of New York, prior to 1800, ScotchTrish and German- 
.Swiss. I know I should enjoy it very much, and if I find that I can attend, 
I will inform vdu later on. I trust that you will have a delightful meeting. 
Yours with Sincere Regards, 

WILLIAM H. EGLE. 

FROM HON. WILLIAM NELSON. 

A^ew Jersey Historical Society : I 
Patterson, N. J., June 2, 1894!^ \ 
DE.A.R Sir : — In behalf of the New Jersey Historical Society, I thank 
you very much for your favor of May 21st ult, inclosing invitation to Cen- 
tennial Celebration of the Organization of Romulus. The commemoration 
of such important events, indicates a proper sense of local pride and patri- 
otism, on the part of the inhabitants (jf the town, characteristics that have 
always been conspicuous in the older settlements of New York State. 

To me personally, the event is the more interesting, because of the 
connection of the Dey family with the settlement of Romulus. I have a 
number of papers relating to Dr. Philip Dey, who lived in this vicin- 
ity. 

Colonel Richard \'arick, was another prominent Jerseyman, conspicu- 
ous in the early history of Jersey City. With most cordial wishes for the 
success of your celebration, and for the future prosperity of the towns of 
Romulus and \'arick, whose history is so closely connected with that of old 
New Jersey families, -• 

I remain. Very Truly Yours, 

WM. NELSON, Corresponding Secretary. 



FROM PROF. WILLARD B. RISING. 

University of California, College of Chemistry : ) 
Berkely, May 17, 1894! \ 
Dear Sir : — The circular sent out by your Committee, inviting me to 
take part in the Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Organiza- 
tion of the town of Romulus, has reached me and I hasten to reply. I am 
sorry to say, that I cannot, by any possibility, be with you on that important 
occasion. My engagements requir'e my presence in California, at the time 
fixed for your celebration. 

I am glad that you are going to observe the day with fitting ccrcmoq- 



134 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 

ies. A reunion which brings together friends, and neighbors, and kindred, 
to commemorate the deeds and struggles of their pioneer fore-fathers, is a 
good thmg. The struggle for life is far easier for us, than it was for our 
good fathers, and we should not forget how goodly a heritage we have re- 
ceived from them. Let us hold their memories in grateful remembrance 
and try and prove ourselves worihy of such noble ancestors. I shall be 
with you in spirit, if not m the body. I wish you a grand success. 

I am. Most Truly Yours, 

W. B. RISING. 

FROM EX-SUPERVLSOR WILLIAM BURROUGHS. 

Morgan Mill, Erath Co., Texas, June i, 1894. 

Gentlemen : — I have your cordial invitation to attend the Centennial 
Celebration of the Organization of Romulus. Please accept my sincere 
thanks for the invitation, and my appreciation of your consideration. It 
would mdeed, be gratifying to meet and greet the sons and daughters of 
old Romulus, on an occasion fraught with so many pleasing reminiscences 
of by-gone days. My sympathies are with you and the people, whom 
you represent, among whom are my kindred and former neighbors and 
friends, to most of whom I have sustained varied industrial, educational and 
official relations. It is with exceeding regret, that I have to decline your in- 
vitation, and limit myself at this distant standpoint, merely to the co7itcmpla- 
tion of the joyous re-union,which is to celebrate and crown a hundred event- 
ful years of great historic interest. 

Lost opportunities are seldom recovered. Realizing, that it is now or 
never, with many of us, in a Centennial sense, and that the next will be too 
late for us to celebrate, I have only to congratulate you, and through you, 
the good people of old Romulus, upon your one hundred years of wonder- 
ful progress, achievement, prosperity and domestic happiness. 

For sixty-two years (1828-gi) Romulus, and Seneca County, was the 
arena of my activities. I trust that the record of those years, will disclose 
some reminiscence, not wholly to be regretted. Romulus! beautiful in 
name, beautiful for situation ; laved b> the waters of two lakes, whose 
scenery, relative position, and general outline, have no equal, as exhibited 
on the map of the world. Within thy borders, on Cayuga's shore, I was 
rocked in childhood; in thy dear and sacred soil, repose the ashes of my an- 
cestry, paternal and maternal. Romulus ! for thy past history, I honor 
thee ! What beauty and rural grandeur will another hundred years de- 
velop ? 

With affectionate regard for the work of one century, I give welcome 
and greeting to the dawn of the next. 

I am, Yours Very Respectfully, 

WM. BURROUGH.S. 



Letters congratulatory and regretting inability to be in attend- 
ance, were also announced from Governor Roswell P. Flower, 
Albany, Hon. Charles W. Gillet, Addison, Hon. Charles Tracey, 
Albany, Hon. Wilson S. Bissell, Buffalo, Hon. Robert A. Max- 
well, Batavia, Hon. Wm. P. Letchworth, Buffalo, Hon. George 
^. Bradley, Cojning, Hon. Frederick Cook, Rochester, Hon, S. 



CENTENNIAL OB" KOMULUS. I35 



Duncan Leverich, New York City, Hon. J. W. McMath, Bay 
City, Mich, Hon. Ellis H. Roberts, Utica, Hon. Eugene T. 
Chamberlain, Albany, Hon. T. M. Pomeroy, Auburn, Hon. 
David Cosad, Phelps, Gen'l J. Watts DePeyster, Tivoli, Gen'l 
Charles W. Darling, Utica, Gen'l Frank Chamberlain, Albany, 
Hon. John B. Linn, Bellefonte, Pa., Hon. H. Seymour, Jr., 
Marquette, Mich., Rev. Dr. W. M. Stryker, Clinton, Rev. Dr. 
W. M. Beauchamp, Baldwinsville, Rev. Dr. E. E. Frisbee, Au- 
rora, Rev. Dr. Rufus S. Green, Elmira, Rev. W. C. Mosher, 
Pasadena, Cal., Rev. Dr. Eewis Halsey, Oswego, Rev. Dr. F. K. 
Levan, Wilkesbarre, Pa., Rev. Charles C. Carr, Horseheads, Rev, 
James Dougherty, Dansville, Rev. L. J. Gross, West Somerset, 
Rev. S. V. R. Marsh, Monongahela City, Pa., Rev. W. S. Peter- 
son, Rapid City, North Dakota, Rev. David E. Blain, Seattle, 
Washington, B. E. Swetland, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, great grandson 
of Euke Swetland ; Charles Blaine, Ithaca, Darwin C. Smalley, 
Bay City, Mich., John H. Dey, Thomas Terhune, Edward F. 
DeLance3', New York City, Charles A. Hawley, Seneca Falls, 
Henry A. Morgan, Aurora, Irving W. Coates, Shortsville, A. 
Ralph Serven, Washington, D. C, Howard E. Osgood, Roches- 
ter, George Tunnicliff, Galesburg, Illinois, George Y. Van Nos- 
trand, Elgin, 111., Charles A. Vail, Chicago, 111., LeRoy Bradley, 
Clinton, Iowa, William M. Eerch, Detroit, Mich., Prof. Isaac P. 
Roberts, Ithaca, Prof. Warren Mann, Potsdam, Prof. George R. 
Howell, Albany, Prof. Edgar A. Emeus, Syracuse, Dr. H. E. 
Allison, Fishkill Eanding, Dr. C. J. Kille, Moorestown, N. J., 
Miss Sarah A. McMath, St. Eouis, Mo., Mrs. Alice Hamilton 
Rich, Minneapolis, Minn., Mrs. Mabel Salyer, Emery, Mich., and 
others. 

A congratulatory telegram was received during the exercises, 
from Hon. Wm. Kirkpatrick, of Syracuse, President of the Onon- 
daga Historical Association, and read to the audience. 

The following prominent persons, beyond the boundaries of 
Romulus and Varick, in addition to participants already named, 
are known to have been in attendance : Hon. Ansel J. McCall, 
Bath ; Prof. John L. Morris, Ithaca ; Silas Kinne, and James 



136 CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



Woodruff, Penn Yan ; Millard F. Blaine, Village President, Dr. 
Myron D. Blaine, Schuyler P. Coe, Charles E. Fidler, J. O. Sey- 
mour, Geneva; Chester Blaine, lyyons; Dr. D. W. Burge, Hector; 
James C. Jacks, Eugene B. Wilford and Joseph E. Wilford, of 
Batavia ; Rathbun J. Hunt, J. Osborn Wilcox, Trumans- 
burg ; Mrs. D. P. Dey, Brooklyn. Also the following 
county officers and clergy : County Judge, Hon. Wm. 
C. Hazleton ; District Attorney, Francis C. Allen ; County Clerk, 
Hugh McGhan, Ovid; School Commissioner, Francis vS. Godfrey, 
Waterloo; Superintendent of Poor, Samuel S. Conover, Fayette; 
Rev. H. A. Porter, Ovid ; Rev. James O'Connor, vSeneca Falls, 
Rev. J. J. NeUigan, Union Springs, Rev. Wisner Kinne, and 
Rev. J. H. Cook, of local clergy ; Editor Henry Stowell^ of the 
Reveille, Charles T. Andrews, of the Courier, Charles B. Guile, of 
^is: Journal, Seneca Falls ; Hon. A. E. Childs, of the Observer, 
James Vair, of the News, Waterloo ; Fred Malette, of the Geneva 
News Letter; Thomas P. Hause, of the Farmer Review; James 
G. Simpson, of the Rochester Post-Express, 2.xA Henry A. Gridley, 
of the Rochester Democrat atid Chronicle ; and Corydon Fairchild, 
the veteran ex-editor, of Ovid. 

The attendance and interest manifested in the occasion and 
the exercises, far exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the 
friends and promoters of the celebration. It was an occasion long 
to be remembered by the participants. There were many family 
reunions, and meetings of old friends and a.ssociates, at which old 
acquaintance and friendships were renewed, and memories of b}-- 
gone days revived and recalled. 

A pleasing incident occurred, in the meeting upon the plat- 
form, of the President of the Day, (Mr. Bartlett), and Charles R. 
King, Esq., of Rochester, (formerly of Varick), who responded to 
his Address of Welcome. These old schoolmates at Ovid Acad- 
emy, had not met, in a public capacity, since June, 1856, thirty- 
eight years ago, when they spoke from the same platform, at the 
closing exercises of the school year. 

That the Celebration may result also in increased interest and 
research, into the early history of our locality, and tend to cement 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



more firmly the cordial relations existing l>etween citizens oi" 
Romulus and Varick, is to be fondly hoped. 

"May this meeting to-day, these social communions, 
Be but a prelude to future reunions ; 
And may t/ii's reunion of Friendship and L,ove, 
Foreshadow a blissful reunion above." 



138 



CENTENNIAL OF ROMULUS. 



ADDENDA TO HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 
By Diedrich Willers. 

Benjamin Dey, referred to, (page 28), as one of the earliest 
settlers, in that part of Romulus, now in Varick, was born at 
Preakness, New Jersey, December 11, 1761, and was a son of 
Col. Teunis Dey. He died March 24, 1822, and is buried in a 
grove upon his farm, on Military Lot 49, where he first located. 
Early in this century, his brothers, David and PhiHp, located in 
Romulus, and Peter in Fayette. 

The parents of Mrs. Arazina Cone Fleming, referred to, 
(pages 30 and*3i), were married November 26th, 1793. Mrs. 
Fleming, Hved to celebrate her one hundiedth birthday, October 
9, 1894, and is still living, (Dec. 1894). 

At page 65, the name Benajah Boardman should be included 
as an early Justice of the Peace, 1794. 

At page 81, a teacher's wood and boarding list appears, but 
the name of the school district is omitted. The list is for the 
"Beachtown" school district, 

A "Sonnet to Lake Cayuga,'' by Fred Teller, of Seneca 
Falls, was issued in 1894, too late for mention, in the body of the 
Historical Address. 

In a Journal and Account Book of Nathaniel Swarthout, a 
pioneer settler of Romulus, in possession of Charles H. Say re, 
Esq., the following entry appears, under date of 1799, evidently 
giving the names of early residents of a Road" District or School 
District, at and near Lancaster, to wit : 

" Return of the Names of District No. First. 



Job Belding, 
Barna Swarthout, 
John Swarthout, 
Samuel Baley. 
Joseph Morris, 
Joshua Halleck, 
David Halleck, 
Andrew Dennett, 
Math ew Fleming, 



David Dennett, 
Thomas Perkins, 
John Halbert, 
David Wilkin, 
James Harris, 
George Wilkui, 
William Sutton, 
James King, 
Crisley Newman. 



lames Ambrose, 
Jonathan Pray, 
George Baley, 
Anthony Swarthout, 
David Price, 
Nathaniel Halleck, 
Mr. Hecock, 
Francis Antony, 
Nathaniel Swarthout. 



CENTENNIAL OK KOMUI.US. 1 39 



ERRATA. 

Page 5. Fourth line from bottom of page— For Myron "VV." Swarthout 
read Myron "H." 

Page 34, Tenth line from bottom of page— For "silverv," read 
"silver." 

Page 43. Last line, for Appendix "F," read Appendix "G." (See 
page 86). 

Page 76. Name of Patentee of Lot 86 For "Elkland ' Watson, read 
"Elkanah." 

Page 76. Last line on page-For year "1082," read "1802.' 
Page 98. Twentieth line from bottom of page^For "repetion," read 
"repetition." 

Page 102. Line 2\ from bottom of page — For "Revoltionary," read 
'•Revolutionary." 

Omission: Page 116. The name, Darwin C. Smalley, should be in- 
clutled in the List of Polders, of other localities there mentioned. 



140 



INDEX 



INDKX. 



Addresses of Barllett, A. J. 102. 
Bartlett, E. S. 8. 
Conover, Geo, S. 87, go. 
Cole, E. P. 125. 
Dcpew, N. A. Rev. 96. 
Dickinson, E. H. Rev. 
124. 

Godfrey, F. S. qq. 
Hunt, Julius F. I04- 
Jacks, J. W. Rev. 107. 
King, Chas. R. 13- 
" Lester, Elias Dr. 124. 

Mason, Francis O. 119. 
Remick, N. B. Rev. 
128. 
Sanford, J. P. Col. 15, 

95- 

Van Brocklin, W. W . 

90. 

Welles, S. R. Dr. 118. 
" Wiilers, Diedrich 21, 

138. , 
Appendix 74 to 86, 138. 
Appletown, 22, 23. 
Assessments, 59, 68. 
Auctioneers, 64. 
Baileytovvn, 39, 60. 
l'>aptist Church, 48, 104 • 
Barton, Morris, Rev. 48. 113- 
15eachtown, Teachers W'ood and 

Boarding List for, 81, 138. 
Bearytown, 48, 63. 
B)iographical Sketches of, 

" Blain, Samuel, 40. 

Boardman, Benajah, 35 

138. 

Ihirroughs, David, 44. 



Biographical Sketches of, 

Burroughs, Silas M. 

44. 

Chamberlain, J. P. 52. 
Coe, John D. 42. 
" Dey, Anthony, 41. 

" Dey, Benjamin, 24 13S. 

Dey, John H. 117. 
Dey, Peter A. 45. 
Eddy, Norman, 53, 
Folwell, Wm. W. 40. 
Gurnee, Walter S. 46. 
Johnson, Wm. T. 43. 
" Kinne, Wm. H. 43. 

'• Lenimon, R. C. 45. 

McMath, John W. 45 
McMath, Rob't E. ^C 
Martin, Jas. M. 43. 
" Marvin, Mather, 41. 

Miller, Elijah, 52. 
Mosher, Chas. Rev. 
no. 
" Ross, Wm. 52. 

" Sanford. Jas. P. 47- 

" Sayre, John, 38. 

Seeley, Jonas, 40. 

Steele, R. R. 43- 
Sutton, Helim, 42. 
Swetland, Luke, 22. 
VanVleet, James, 4S- 
VanVleet, Peter J. 43- 
Wade, 1. H. 44 
Wilkinson, O. W. 43- 
Wiilers, D. Rev. 85. 

IJirths, Early, 30. 

Boat Landings on Lakes, 57. 

Canada Thistles, 6q. 



INDKX. 



141 



Caton, John, Rev. 48, 105. 
Cayuga County, 25, 36, 118. 
Cayuga Lake, 32, 33, 57, 138. 
Cayuga, West Reservatioii, 26, -]■]. 
Census of Population, 67. 
Census of Voters, 66, 82. 
Chapman, J. Rev. 109, 117. 
Childs, A. L. Hon., Poem of, 15 
C'hurchps. 

Baptist, 48, 104. 

Methodist Episcopal, 49. 

Presbyterian, 48, 107. 

Protestant Episcoi)al, 49. 

Reformed, 49. 

Roman Catholic, 49. 

Wesleyan Methodist, 49. 
Citizens Meetings, 4. 
Clark, Lewis H. 72. 
Clarktown, 61. 

Clergymen, 47, 106, 116, 124, 136. 
Collation at Centennial, 20. 
Commissioners of Deeds, 66. 
Committees, Local, 4, 6. 
County Buildings. Contest for, 39. 
County Clerks, 44. 
Creameries, 69. 
Deaths, Early, 30. 
DeWitt, Simeon. 24. 
f)ey's Landing, 62. 
East Varick, 64. 
Editors, 117, 123, 136. 
Elections, Times for holding, 66, 80, 

81. 
Executive Committee of Centennial, 

6. 
Farmers Bank at Romulus, 62. 
Farmers' Club, 70. 
Fayette, Town of, 36, 70. 
Ferries, 57. 

Fleming. Arazina Cone, 31, 138. 
German Pioneer Settlers, 29, 48, 71. 
Gospel and School Lot, 3, 50, 74. 
Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, 8, 70, 

102. 
Grape Culture, 69. 
Grist Mills, 64. 

Guests, Invited, 8, 20, 130, 135. 
Herkimer County, 25, 118. 
Hayt's Corners, 63. 
Historical Address, 21, 138. 
Indian Captives, 24. 
Indian Missionaries, 22. 
Indians, Six Nations of, 22, 27, 87. 
Ithaca and Geneva Turnpike, 57. 
Industrial Statistics, 67, 68. 
Jesuit Missionaries, 22. 



Junius, Town of, 37, 72. 
Justices of Peace. 65, 66, 138. 
Kendaia,22, 23,63. 
Kendaia Grange, 70. 
Kirkland, Sam'l Rev. 22. 
Ladies, 20, 128. 
Lancaster, 39, 60, 138. 
Lawyers, 47, 124. 
Lemmon's Corners, 62. 
Letters, Congratulatory, 130, 134. 
Letters from, 

Burroughs, Wm. 134. 

Dey, A. V. B. 132." 

Dey, Peter A. 131. 

Egle, Wm. H. Dr. 133. 

Lemmon, Reuben C. 131. 

Nelson, Wm. 133. 

Osborn, Amos O 130. 

Rising, W. B. 133. 

Seward, W^. H. 132. 
Libraries, 54, 55. 
Literature Lot, 50, 74. 
McDuffeetown, 62, 64. 
Marriages, Early, 30, 138. 
Methodist Episcopal Churches, 49. 
Memorial of Early Settlers, 27, "]■]. 
Military, Local, 55. 
Military Tract, 24, 74. 
Montgomery County, 25. 
Moravian Missionaries, 22. 
Music, 6, 7, 15, 87. 
Mynderse Wilhelmus, 34, 37, 65. 
Officers at Centennial, 5. 
Onondaga County, 21, 26, 90, n8. 
Onondaga Historical Asssociation, 

135- 
Order of Procession, 7. 
Ovid, Town of, 25, 96, 126. 
Patrons of Husbandry, 8, 70. 102. 
Peru, Town of, 26, 56. 
Physicians, 47, 124, 
Pioneer Settlers of Romulus, 27, 28, 

126. 
Pioneer Settlers of Varick, 28, 29. 
Plymouth, 61. 

Poem of Hon. A. L. Childs, 15. 
Pomona Grange, 8, 70, 102. 
Presbyterian Church, 48, 107. 
Procession at Centennial, 7, 
Professional men, 46, 47. 106, 116, 

117. 
Protestant Episcopal Churches, 49. 
Railroad Lines, 58. 
Reformed Church of U. S. 49. 
Revolutionary Soldiers, 29, 102, 125. 
Roads, Early, 55, 56, 138. 



JX^^.V./ 



142 



INDEX. 



Roe, Alfred S. 72. 
Roman Catholic Church, 49. 
Romulus and Remus, 25. 
Romulus, Town of, 

Area of, 26, 36, 69 

Boundaries of, 26, 36, 86. 

Census of, 66, 67, 82. 

Centennial of, 4, 5, 7. 

Early Settlements in, 27, 28. 

Elections in, 66, 80. 

Organization of, 26. 

Population of, 67. 

Supervisors of, 79. 

Town Clerks, Early, 80. 

Valuations in, 59, 68. 

Voters, Census of, 66, 82. 
Romulus Village, 62, 
Sanford, J. P., Col. 15, 47, 9S- 
School and Gospel Lot, 37, 50, 74. 
School Commissioners, 44. 
School Houses, Early, 50, 96. 
School Text Books, 54, 97. 
Schools, at Centennial, 7. 
Schools, Early, 50, 96. 
Seneca County, Formation of 25. 

" Jail and Court House 

in, 39- 
" Town Meetings in. 66. 

" West Boundary of, 42. 

Seneca Falls, Town of, 25, 71. 
Seneca Lake, 32, 34, 57. 
Sheriffs, 44, 
Skoiyase, 72. 

Smalley, Darwin C. 51, 139. 
Stage Routes, 57, 58. 
Steamboats, on Lakes, 57. « 
Stores, Early, 64. 
Sullivan, John Gen'l, 3, 23. 
Supervisors, Romulus, 79. 
Supervisors, Varick, 80. 
Surveyors, Early, 56. 
Swarthout, Myron H. 5, 139. 
Swetland, Luke, 22. 
Taverns, 58. 

Teachers, 7, 47. 49> 51. 52, 81, 97. 101. 
Teachers, at Centennial. 7. 



Teacher's Boarding and Wood List, 

81, 138. 
Teller, Fred, 138. 
Town Clerks of Romulus, 80. 
Town Meetings, 35, 66, 80, 81. 
Turnpike Company, 57. 
Tyre, Town of, 72. 
Valuations, 59, 68. 
Varick, Town of, Area of, 6g. 
" Boundaries of, 68. 

" Early Settlers, 28, 29. 

" Elections in, 66, 81. 

" Organization of, 68. 

" Population of, 67. 

" Supervisors of, 80. 

Villages, 

Appletown, 22, 23. 
Baileytown, 39, 60. 
Beachtown, 50, 81, 138. 
Bearytown, 48, 63. 
Clarktown, 61. 
Day's Landing, 62. 
East Varick, 64. 
Hayt's Corners, 63. 
Kendaia, 22, 23, 63. 
Lancaster, 39, 60, 138. 
Lemmon's Corners, 62. 
McDuffeetown, 62, 64. 
Plymouth, 61. 
Romulus, 62. 
Willard, 60. 
Voters, Enumeration of. 66, 82. 
Voters, Qualifications of, 65. 
Warehouses, on Lakes, 57. 
Waterloo Library and Historical So- 
ciety, 71, 72, 118. 
Waterloo Organ Company, 87. 
Waterloo, Town of, 72. 
Watson, Elkanah, 32, 75, 76, 139. • 
Wayne County, 72. 
Wesleyan Methodist Church, 49 
West Cayuga Reservation, 26, 77. 
Whitestown, Town of, 25. 
Willard State Hospital, 60, 1 19. 
Willard Village, 60. 
Wolf Bounty, 37. 
Young, Moses Rev. 112. 









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